Troubleshooting and

Repairing LCD TVs

By John Preher
www.preher-tech.com

Copyright
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6
Dedication
This boo0 is dedicated to my wi"e Lindsay # my daughter -lana and my son 7obin. /ith out
the support o" my wonder"ul "amily this boo0 would ha$e ne$er been possible.
1 would also li0e to dedicate this boo0 to Jestine 8ong# -uthor and electronics technician.
Than0 you "or all your support and inspiration.
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Contents
Li2uid Crystals....+
Li2uid Crystal Displays....'
The Power &upply Board....:
The 1n$erter Board....66
The ;ain Board....6+
The Controller.T-Con Board....9<
The LCD Dri$er Board....9:
The &tandby Circuit....9+
The Li2uid Crystal Display 1n Depth....9(
Tools....<
Test =2uipment....:'
&chematic Diagrams....:)
,nderstanding and Testing Resistors....:*
,nderstanding and Testing Capacitors....+9
,nderstanding and Testing 1nductors....(9
,nderstanding and Testing Transistors....((
,nderstanding and Testing Diodes....*'
,nderstanding and Testing Bridge Recti"iers....'9
,nderstanding and Testing L=Ds....'
,nderstanding and Testing &witching Trans"ormers....9
,nderstanding and Testing >pto-1solators....(
,nderstanding and Testing Voltage Regulators....69
,nderstanding and Testing &witches....6+
,nderstanding and Testing 4uses....6)
&ome Testing Tips....9
,se"ul 4ormulas....96
?ow To Disassemble -n LCD TV....99
Voltage Test Points....9+
The Tap Test....<<
4ree3e &pray and ?air Dryers....<+
Connection Problems....<*
P&, @Power &upply ,nitA 4ailures....:6
<
1n$erter Board 4ailures....:)
;ain Board 4ailures....+9
!o Video....+*
!o -udio....(
>&D.;enu 4ailure....(6
/hite &creen....(9
Rainbow &creen....(:
&creen 4lashes Then TV &huts Down....(+
!o Bac0 light....((
Lines 1n Picture....()
Crac0ed Panel....(*
LCD TV Repair Case ?istories....)'
&a"ety....)+
Conclusion....*'
4urther Reading....*
/ebsites....*<
Parts Distributors....*:
:
Li2uid Crystals
Li2uid crystals are a type o" matter that posses properties between those o"
standard li2uid and those that are more li0e solid crystal. Li2uid crystal
may "low li0e a li2uid but at the molecular le$el it is oriented in a way that
normally represents a solid crystal.
Li2uid crystals molecules are rod li0e and can be aligned when electricity
is applied to them.
Li2uid Crystals
+
=ach sub-pi%el or cell o" an LCD panel is made up o" li2uid crystal
molecules suspended between two transparent electrodes and two
polari3ing "ilters. The a%is o" polarity "or the two "ilters are perpendicular
to each other# so without the li2uid crystals between them light passing
through one o" the "ilters would be bloc0ed by the ne%t.
;a0e up o" an LCD panel
(
Be"ore an electrical current is applied the molecules are in a Brela%edC
state. /hen $oltage is applied the molecules align themsel$es with the
electrodes. The electrodes are treated in a manner that causes the crystals
to align in a helical structure. This type is called Twisted !ematic @T!A and
is one o" the most common types in LCD TVs.
Twisted nematic @T!A
Twisted nematic displays contain li2uid crystal elements which twist and
untwist at $arying degrees allowing light to pass through. /hen no
$oltage is applied to a T! li2uid crystal cell# the light is polari3ed to pass
through the cell. 1n proportion to the $oltage applied# the LC cells twist up
to *' degrees changing the polari3ation and bloc0ing the lightDs path. By
properly adEusting the le$el o" the $oltage almost any gray le$el or
transmission can be achie$ed.
>ther Types 1nclude#
1n-plane switching @1P&A
1n-plane switching is an LCD technology which aligns the li2uid crystal
cells in a hori3ontal direction. 1n this method# the electrical "ield is applied
through each end o" the crystal# but this re2uires two transistors "or each
cell instead o" the single transistor needed "or a standard thin-"ilm
transistor @T4TA display. This results in bloc0ing more transmission area#
which re2uires a brighter bac0 light# which usually consumes more power.
-d$anced "ringe "ield switching @-44&A
-d$anced "ringe "ield switching is a similar technology to 1P& or &-1P&
o""ering superior per"ormance and color# besides high luminosity.
)
Light passing through an LCD panels "irst polari3ing "ilter is rotated as it
passes through the li2uid crystal# allowing it to pass through the second
polari3ing "ilter.
/hen no $oltage is applied to the molecules in the helical @T!A structure#
they will untwist so as to not rotate light passing through them "rom the
"irst "ilter# this will cause the second polari3ing "ilter to bloc0 this light.
*
Li2uid Crystal Displays
- li2uid crystal display contains a light source.bac0 lighting# a li2uid
crystal panel and circuits that dri$e the panel.
LCD Display
Bac0 lighting
The light source is "ound at the $ery rear o" the display and it contains a
group o" thin CC4Ls or Cold Cathode 4luorescent Lamps.
'
Bac0 light "ound in LCD TV
CC4Ls used in LCD TV bac0 lighting

Various CC4Ls
The light "rom the bac0 light passes through di""users to ma0e sure that
the light distribution across the display is uni"orm. !ote that some newer
TVs use L=D bac0 or side lighting and do not ha$e a large bul0y bac0 light
and do not re2uire an in$erter board. !e%t the light passes through the
LCD panel which is made up o" millions o" cells. -s stated earlier the cells
will control the "low o" light through the display to create "ull color
images.
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The LCD Panel
The LCD Panel Contains ;ultiple Layers. 4irst a polari3ing "ilter "ollowed
by the color "ilters# T4T sheet# Li2uid crystal and then a second polari3ing
"ilter @the order can be slightly di""erent depending on manu"acturer and
panel typeA.
9
-s we Eust said the LCD panel contains millions o" cells @ depending on the
screen si3eA and three cells ma0e up a pi%el. =ach cell is colored either red
green or blue. - complete pi%el is made up o" one green# one red and one
blue cell. =ach cell is controlled by a T4T or Thin 4ilm Transistor that
pro$ides accurate control o" each cell and ma0es "or a clear picture.
Close loo0 at pi%els and cells @sub-pi%elsA
<
The Power &upply Board
Typical LCD TV P&, @Power &upply ,nitA
LCD TVs ,se a switching type power supply also 0nown as an &;P& or &witch
;ode Power &upply. The power supply con$erts the mains -C supply into DC
@Direct CurrentA $oltages that can be used by the circuits within the LCD TV.
-C @-lternating CurrentA at the mains $oltage @usually '-6'V in ,&-A enters
the P&, and "irst passes through =;1 @=lectromagnetic 1nter"erenceA "iltering# in
rush current limiting and P4C @Power 4actor CorrectionA circuits. Then the -C
$oltage is recti"ied by the bridge recti"ier. !ote i" -cti$e P4C is used# the acti$e
P4C circuit will be located a"ter the bridge recti"ier and be"ore the reser$oir
capacitor.
:
Passi$e P4C Described
The simplest way to control harmonic current is to use a "ilter# "ilters are designed
that pass current only at line "re2uency @:'3 or +' ?3A. This "ilter reduces the
harmonic current# which means that the non-linear de$ice now loo0s li0e a linear
load. -t this point the power "actor can be brought to near unity@A# using
capacitors or inductors as re2uired. This "ilter re2uires large $alue high current
inductors# which are bul0y and e%pensi$e. Passi$e P4C needs an inductor larger
than the inductor in an acti$e P4C# but costs less.
-cti$e P4C Described
-cti$e power "actor correction @acti$e P4CA uses a more comple% electronic
circuit to control the amount o" power drawn by a load in order to obtain a power
"actor as close as possible to unity@A. ,sually the acti$e P4C circuit controls the
input current o" the load so that the current wa$e"orm is proportional to the mains
$oltage wa$e"orm @a sine wa$eA. The purpose o" ma0ing the power "actor as close
to unity@A as possible is to ma0e the circuit that is power "actor corrected appear
purely resisti$e. 1n this case the $oltage and current are in phase and the reacti$e
power consumption is 3ero. This allows the most e""icient deli$ery o" electrical
power "rom the power company to the consumer. &ome types o" acti$e P4C are
Boost#Buc0 and Buc0-boost. -cti$e power "actor correction circuits can be single
stage or multistage. 1n the case o" a &;P&# a boost con$erter is inserted between
the bridge recti"ier and the main input capacitors. The boost con$erter attempts to
maintain a constant DC bus $oltage on its output while drawing a current that is
constantly in phase with and at the same "re2uency as the line $oltage.
The -C $oltage 1s now Recti"ied # output "rom the Bridge recti"ier is a pulsed DC
$oltage which is then BsmoothedC by the reser$oir capacitor also called the
primary side "ilter capacitor.
!ow letDs tal0 about the power ;>&4=T.s. 1n LCD TVs you will commonly "ind
two power ;>&4=Ts in the typical hal" bridge topology.
+
Basic ?al" Bridge Topology
The ;>&4=T is a switch in the &;P&# it is turned on by the power 1C that sends a
s2uare wa$e pulsed $oltage to the gates o" the power ;>&4=Ts in the hal" bridge#
turning them on and o"" alternately at a high "re2uency. /hen the "irst o" the
power ;>&4=Ts@FA is turned on it allows the smoothed DC $oltage to "low
through the primary winding o" the switching trans"ormer to the center o" the
$oltage di$ider "ormed by C and C6 . /hen this ;>&4=T switches o"" the
second ;>&4=T@F6A is switched on and the "low o" current re$erses# going "rom
the center o" the $oltage di$ider to ground through the second ;>&4=T and then
the process repeats. This action induces a $oltage in the secondary windings o" the
switching trans"ormer# which steps down the $oltage in this case# to -C $oltages
which are then again recti"ied by either ultra "ast reco$ery or schott0y diodes# then
"iltered by secondary side "ilter capacitors and inductors also called cho0es
because they inhibit or Bcho0eC high "re2uency changes in current. !ow the
recti"ied and smoothed secondary $oltages can then be "urther regulated by $oltage
regulators or regulation circuits "ound on other circuits or on the secondary side o"
the P&, as well. Please note that not all LCD TVs will use the hal" bridge
topology. &ome will only ha$e one power ;>&4=T or 4=T and some will ha$e
the power 1C and ;>&4=T.s integrated into a single pac0age. ;ost &;P& in
LCD TVs you encounter will be "airly similar and will all be &;P&# with a little
studying you will see you will "ind how di""erent ones you encounter wor0
because they will be based on the same principles.
(
Bottom o" P&, showing &;D power 1C.hal" bridge dri$er
P&, with acti$e P4C
)
The output o" the P&, is 0ept stable by utili3ing "eedbac0. -t least one o" the
secondary $oltages must be monitored# this is done by a "ew circuits. 4irst the
sampling circuit which is normally made up o" a "ew resistors. The $oltage "rom
the sampling circuit is then ta0en to an adEustable shunt regulator 1C# this is the
error detection circuit which monitors the sampled $oltage ta0en "rom the
sampling circuit and then dri$es an opto-isolator which has an output signal that is
ampli"ied and then ta0en to the power 1Cs "eedbac0 pin so that the power 1C can
then alter the mar0 to space ratio o" the s2uare wa$e signal to the ;>&4=T.s
causing a regulation o" the output $oltage increasing or decreasing the output or
e$en shutting down the TV depending on the signal recei$ed "rom the opto-
isolator. This process is called Pulse /idth ;odulation or P/;. The power 1C is
sometimes re"erred to as the P/;@Pulse /idth ;odulatorA. 1" the load on the
power supply causes the secondary $oltages to drop then the power 1C increases
the ;>&4=T.s dri$e signals duty cycle or you could say the ratio o" mar0s to
spaces increases.
;ar0 to space ratio
*
P/;
&ome P&,s will use a di""erent type o" "eed bac0 implementing a secondary
winding on the primary side that is used "or "eedbac0# still the o$er all principle is
the same and the process is still P/;.
Basic &;P& Bloc0 Diagram
To go completely 1n depth into the wor0ings o" the &;P& is beyond the scope o"
this boo0# but you should now ha$e a good idea o" how an &;P& in an LCD TV
wor0s.
6'
1 do suggest you read more on &;P& and how to repair them because it will
de"initely speed up your troubleshooting time. /e will go o$er the &;P& much
more in this boo0 but 1 would still li0e to recommend you read BTroubleshooting
and Repairing &witch ;ode Power &uppliesC By Jestine 8ong.
This boo0 is pac0ed with all you need to 0now to completely understand how to
troubleshoot &;P& 2uic0ly.
6
The 1n$erter Board
The in$erter board is responsible "or stepping up the low DC $oltage supplied by
one o" the outputs "rom the &;P& into a high $oltage# roughly :''V-)''V -C
"or stri0ing@start upA and :''V-'''V -C to run the CC4L lamps that pro$ide the
bac0 lighting "or the LCD panel.
4or many years designers ha$e used a buc0.royer in$erter topology to stri0e and
supply power to the CC4Ls. This topology is basically a combination o" a step
down buc0 regulator# a royer oscillator and a step up trans"ormer.
66
Buc0 Royer circuit simpli"ied
The buc0 regulator is made up o" a power transistor# buc0 cho0e# buc0 diode# buc0
coil# power inductor# a P/; or in$erter 1C and a capacitor.
&impli"ied Buc0 Con$erter
69
The royer oscillator consists o" two transistors# capacitor# ?VT @?igh Voltage
Trans"ormerA and a capacitor in series with the lamp called the ballast capacitor.
The buc0 royer in$erter supplies a high $oltage -C to dri$e the CC4L lamps.
1 donDt thin0 you will come across to many LCD TVs with the Buc0.Royer style
in$erter circuit but it is still good to understand how di""erent circuits wor0 as you
will see similar circuits employed in di""erent parts o" the TV and other electronics
de$ices you decide to repair. The maEority o" in$erter circuits you will encounter
in LCD TVs will implement P/; type in$erters such as the direct dri$e topology.
Direct dri$e topology
The direct dri$e in$erter uses a simple topology that optimi3es per"ormance# has a
reduced cost and lowers component count by eliminating the buc0 cho0e# buc0
diode# resonant capacitors and transistors "ound in a Buc0.Royer oscillator. The
direct dri$e topology uses a Power 1C to dri$e a pair o" ;>&4=Ts connected to a
?VT primary winding# switching the ;>&4=T& on and o"" at separate times#
allowing current to "low through the primary windings center tap and bac0 and
"orth through the primary winding and one o" the ;>&4=Ts to hot ground. The
type o" direct dri$e in$erter we Eust discussed may also be re"erred to as a push
pull circuit.
-nother common type o" in$erter you will see is the "ull bridge in$erter.
6<
4ull bridge topology
The "ull bridge in$erter is li0e the direct dri$e in$erter 1 showed you earlier only
the center tapped primary is no longer re2uired. The ;>&4=Ts are in a classical
?-Bridge topology that is used to re$erse the current "low through the primary
winding o" the high $oltage trans"ormer. 8ou will commonly "ind this type o"
in$erter in todayDs LCD TVs. !ote that some TVs you will encounter will ha$e the
P&, and the in$erter integrated into one board. 8ou may also encounter some
other in$erter topologies li0e the hal" bridge in$erter.
6:
The ;ain Board
-s the !ame implies the main board has many "unctions within the LCD TV.
8ou may also hear this board re"erred to as the -.D board# logic board# digital
board and also the scaler board. The purpose o" the main board is to ta0e the input
$ideo and audio signals con$ert the analogue $ideo signal into a digital signal that
the controller board can use to dri$e the T4Ts in the panel and control the picture.
The audio is ta0en to the audio processor than an audio ampli"ier which then
dri$es the spea0ers. &ometimes all o" the $ideo and audio inputs will be "ound on
the main board and sometimes they will be "ound on a separate board called the
Eac0 pac0# which connects to the main board $ia a ribbon cable or 44C @4lat
4le%ible CableA. This board may also house the audio processor and audio
ampli"ier 1Cs and corresponding circuits.
6+
LCD TV Eac0 pac0.1nput or signal board
6(
!e%t we will discuss important components "ound on the main board.
VP,@Video Processing ,nitA
The $ideo processing unit is a highly integrated circuit that includes a
CP,@Central Processing ,nitA# ?D@?igh De".A.&D@&tandard De".A $ideo and audio
decoder# !T&C $ideo decoder#>&D@>n &creen DisplayAcomb "ilter a $ideo scaler
and de-interlacer. To "ully e%plain the VP, is beyond the scope o" this boo0 and 1
suggest you do "urther studying i" you want o understand the VP, better. The
main thing "or you to understand is it con$erts $ideo in"ormation into digital
signals that can be sent by the LVD& 1C to the controller.T-Con board.
VP, on LCD TV main board
;C,@;icro Controller ,nitA
- micro controller is a small computer made up in a single integrated circuit
consisting o" a "airly simple CP,@Central Processing ,nitA along with support
"unctions li0e crystal oscillator# timers# watchdog timer# serial and analog 1.> etc.
Program memory li0e !>R "lash or >TP R>; can be included on chip as well as
small amounts o" R-;. The ;C, carries out small dedicated tas0s within the
LCD TV.
6)
;C, on LCD TV main board
==PR>;@=lectronically =rasable Programmable Read >nly ;emoryA
==PR>;s are a type o" non-$olatile memory used in electronic de$ices. Just as
the name implies an ==PR>; can be erased and programmed with electrical
signals. ==PR>;s are used to store in"ormation such as user adEustable settings
and pre"erences among other things. /hen you ma0e "or instance a brightness
adEustment the ;C, may store this in"ormation in an e%ternal ==PR>;.
==PR>;& on LCD TV main board
6*
Voltage Regulator 1Cs
Voltage regulator 1Cs pro$ide a constant stable $oltage "or the 1Cs and other
circuits "ound on the main board.
4lash ;emory
4lash memory is non-$olatile and it is a speci"ic type o" ==PR>; that is erased
and programmed in large bloc0s. 4lash memory costs much less than byte-
programmable memory ==PR>; and so is dominant where$er a large amount o"
non-$olatile memory is needed. The LCD TV so"tware is usually stored on "lash
memory and this so"tware can sometimes be upgraded through a ,&B port or
memory card reader on your TV.
9'
-udio Processor
The audio processor recei$es digital and analogue audio signals input to the TV
and con$erts them into a signal that can be used by the audio ampli"ier to dri$e the
spea0ers and also to decode and send audio to peripheral de$ices.
-udio -mpli"ier
The audio ampli"ier as the name implies is responsible "or recei$ing the signal
"rom the output o" the audio processor which is small in amplitude and using it to
dri$e a signal with larger amplitude but the same modulations through the TV
spea0ers.
9
LVD&@Low Voltage Di""erential &ignalingA1C
The LVD& 1C uses low $oltage di""erential signaling to send the $ideo signal "rom
the main board to the T-Con.LCD controller board . LVD& is a di""erential
signaling system# meaning that it transmits two di""erent $oltages that are
compared at the recei$ing end. LVD& uses this di""erence in $oltage to encode the
$ideo signal.
96
Crystals
The "unction o" the crystal is in combination with other components to create an
electrical signal with a $ery precise "re2uency. This "re2uency is used to pro$ide a
stable cloc0 signal "or an 1C. The most common type you will see in the LCD TV
is the 2uart3 crystal oscillator.
-gain remember that not all LCD TV& are the same. 1n this boo0 1 am gi$ing you
e%amples o" what is commonly seen in LCD TVs on the mar0et today. 8ou will
"ind that some TVs will incorporate di""erent technologies on their main boards. 1t
is up to you to do "urther studying as needed li0e reading the ser$ice manual and
going o$er the schematics "or the TV you are wor0ing on i" possible# but always
be learning about electronics and electronics circuits so can 2uic0ly identi"y them
when you see them and troubleshoot them 2uic0ly as you 0now how they operate.
99
The LCD Controller Board
The LCD Controller or T-Con PCB recei$es the LVD& signal "rom the ;ain
Board which it processes into T4T Dri$e &ignals and then through the
dri$er board controls the LCD Panel dri$er 1Cs.>n the T-con PCB you will "ind
Dynamic Ram 1CGs which are ?igh &peed &torage De$ices used to store data until
it is time to be addressed.6V is usually supplied to the T-con Board through the
cable "rom the main board to the T-con board. This $oltage is easily measured at
the pico"use on the T-con board.
LCD controller board
9<
The LCD Dri$er Board
The LCD dri$er board is directly bonded to the LCD panel by "le%ible printed
circuit board@4PCBA. The dri$er board directs the signal "rom the LCD controller
to the dri$er 1Cs which are mounted directly to the 4PCB that bonds the dri$er
board to the LCD panel and on 4PCB down the side o" the panel. &ometimes you
will see di""erent con"igurations li0e the T-Con.LCD controller board and dri$er
board can be integrated into one board.
9:
The &tandby Circuit
The standby circuit is used to supply power to the ;C, and other components in
the LCD TV when the TV is o""# this is why it is called standby mode. Really the
TV is not o"" completely unless it is unplugged. This is how you are able to turn
the TV on when the TV is in standby mode. /hen you push the power button on
the remote control or on the 0eyboard located on the TV a signal is sent to the
;C, that tells the ;C, to send a start up signal to the power 1C to start dri$ing
the power ;>&4=Ts which causes the TV to turn on. The standby circuit is "ound
on the &;P& board and is easily located by itDs small switching trans"ormer. The
usual standby $oltage is :V DC. The standby power supply is an &;P& usually
with the P/; and ;>&4=T integrated into a single standby power 1C# small
switching trans"ormer# secondary diode# "ilter capacitors# "eedbac0 circuit etc. 1t is
a "ully "unctional &;P& only really small# an &;P& within and &;P&.
9+
The Li2uid Crystal Display 1n Depth
-s we stated be"ore the Li2uid Crystal Display contains many layers. - bac0 light#
polari3ing "ilters# color "ilters# T4T layer and li2uid crystal. The $ery bac0 o" the
panel is a bac0 light which contains multiple CC4L lamps. &ome newer TVs use
L=Ds "or bac0 lighting or edge lighting with a light guide# allowing light to e$enly
illuminate the entire picture e$en though the light source is around the edge and
not directly behind. The light passes through the actual LCD panel that contains all
the tiny red# green and blue cells that ma0e up the pi%els allowing the picture the
display produces to be illuminated and seen.
Panel Types
Passi$e ;atri%-
Passi$e matri% panels use a simple grid to address a particular pi%el in the display.
-s the number o" pi%els and the corresponding columns and rows o" the grid
increase this type o" display becomes in"easible. &low response times and bad
contrast are typical with this type o" display.
9(
-cti$e ;atri%-
;odern LCD TVs use the acti$e matri% structure. The matri% is made up with T4T
@Thin 4ilm TransistorsA. =ach cell within a pi%el has its own dedicated transistor.
This allows each cell to be acti$ated indi$idually.
-cti$e matri% addressed displays are brighter# sharper and generally ha$e better
response times not to mention producing better images than passi$e matri%
addressed displays o" the same si3e.
Response Time
Response time is the amount o" time it ta0es "or a li2uid crystal cell to change
"rom acti$ated or white to inacti$e or blac0 and then return to white. Basically it
re"ers to the speed o" the li2uid crystal cells and how "ast they can change "rom
one state to another and so how "ast the images can be re"reshed on the screen. The
"aster the response time the better. This reduces the e""ect o" trailing or ghosting
that can be caused by slow response times. Typical response times are "rom <ms-
+ms.
9)
Contrast Ratio
Contrast ratio is the ratio o the TVs brightest white it can display in comparison to
itDs dar0est blac0.
Viewing -ngle
the $iewing angle o" the TV is literally the angle at which it is best $iewed "rom.
,sually the hori3ontal and $ertical $iewing angles will be listed in the users
manual. 1deally a TV would ha$e a $iewing angle o" )' degrees both hori3ontally
and $ertically# which would mean it could be $iewed e$en i" you were standing at
the $ery side or loo0ing at it "rom the $ery top or bottom. ;odern LCD TVs ha$e
a wide $iewing angle# usually around (' degrees hori3ontally # $ertical $iewing
angle can $ary. /hen a TV has a small $iewing angle you will notice the picture
"ade and the colors distort as you mo$e up and down or side to side relati$e to the
TV.
Resolution
The resolution o" an LCD TV is the number o" distinct pi%els it can display. 1t is
simply the physical number o" columns and rows o" pi%els creating the display.
LCD TVs commonly display the "ollowing resolutions.
&DTV@&tandard De"inition TVAH <)'i
=DTV@=nhanced De"inition TVAH <)'p@(6' % <)'A
?DTV@?igh De"inition TVAH (6'p@6)' % (6'A
?DTVH ')'i @*6' % ')'A
?DTVH ')'p @*6' % ')'A
The i stands "or interlaced scan. This means "or each "rame you ha$e two B"ieldsC
during the "irst "ield the display is scanned "or part o" "rame and then s0ips a piece
o" that same "rame then scans another piece until the end o" that "ield # then the
process repeats "illing in the parts that were missed in the "irst "ield scan. The two
"ields together ma0e up one "rame.
9*
The p stands "or progressi$e scan. This is when the scan starts at the top o" the
panel and dri$es e$ery necessary cell all the way down the screen completing an
entire "rame in one sweep as appose to two.
<'
Tools
LetDs discuss some tools that are necessary "or repairing LCD TVs and some that
will ma0e repairing LCD TVs much easier and reduce your troubleshooting time.
Long !ose Pliers
Long nose pliers come are great "or all sorts o" things including helping to remo$e
<
and place.mount components in places that our "ingers canDt "it.
Diagonal Cutters
Diagonal cutters really come in handy. Iood "or cutting o" a strip o" solder wic0
and always being used to clip o"" components leads a"ter soldering them in place.
!ut Dri$er
<6
&crew Dri$ers
Twee3ers
<9
Twee3ers come in handy# especially when you are remo$ing or replacing &;D
components.
&oldering 7it
8ou will want to put together a soldering 0it that includes such things as solder#
solder wic0# solder tip tinner.cleaner# heat sin0 compound# a solder suc0er some
dental pic0s and a Bsolder aid 0itC.
<<
>ptical Visor /ith Light
-n optical $isor is something 1 Eust could not do without# 1 use them to "ind bad
solder connections on PCBs and 1 basically wear them the whole time 1 am
wor0ing# when soldering and to loo0 at part $alues "or instance on &;D
components# it would be $ery di""icult to wor0 with out these and it is important
that they ha$e a light so you can 0eep your hands "ree "or things li0e a soldering
iron and solder etc. /ithout proper lighting and magni"ication it would not be
possible to e$en see a lot o" the connection problems 1 ha$e "ound while 1 was
wearing them.
<:
=%ample o" solder crac0s that you might not see without a light and magni"ier
Variable temperature soldering station with L=D display
- good $ariable temperature soldering station is an essential i" you plan on doing
component le$el repairs on LCD TVs. 1 recommend spending the money to get a
nice station with $ariable temperature li0e the one in the abo$e photo. 1t will
surely pay "or itsel" in Eust a "ew repairs.
<+
&older Tip Cleaner
&;D rewor0 station
<(
-n &;D rewor0 station is not a must "or doing LCD TV repair# but i" you decide
to ta0e on lotDs o" &;D le$el repair within the LCD TV this will surely ma0e your
li"e much easier.
Chip Fuic0 &;D remo$al 0it
Chip Fuic0 is one o" my "a$orite products. This is what 1 choose to use o$er an
&;D rewor0 station "or the amount o" &;D wor0 1 "ind mysel" doing. 1 ha$e e$en
remo$ed and replaced tsop @thin small-outline pac0ageA "lash 1Cs with :' pins
with this stu"" and other products "orm their website# it is ama3ing.
<)
Complete =lectronics Tool 7it
-ll the tools listed are Eust some o" the most important tools needed# but 1
personally "eel the more tools the better and 1 am 0nown "or carrying a large
amount with me most o" the time. 8ou may want to thin0 about purchasing one o"
the complete electronics tool 0its li0e in the photo abo$e. 8ou can purchase these
0its "rom $arious electronics distributors online.
<*
Test =2uipment
D;;@Digital ;ultimeterA-
D;;s in general ha$e less e""ect on the circuit being tested than an analogue
meter and "ew circuits are e""ected by ha$ing this type o" meter connected to them.
;ost D;;s ha$e a constant input resistance o" '; ohms or more.
Digital ;ultimeter
The D;; is probably the piece o" test e2uipment you will "ind yoursel" using
most as it has so many "eatures. ;any D;;s include settings "or resistance# DC
and -C $oltage# "re2uency and duty cycle# DC and -C current# capacitance#
continuity# transistor h4=# temperature# diode testing and more. Purchasing a
2uality D;; is de"initely a wise in$estment.
:'
-nalogue ;eter-
The analogue meter is also a $ery use"ul tool "or the electronics technician. The
$oltages used by the meter "or testing are larger than with a D;; and so they can
Bturn onC certain parts that the low $oltages used with most D;;s cannot.
-nalogue ;eter
-nalogue meters are great "or testing ;>&4=Ts# BJTs@Bipolar Junction
TransistorsA# opto-isolators# capacitors# L=Ds and other components as well.
-nalogue meters are $ery reasonably priced and you can "ind a pretty nice one
online "or under J9' ,&D.
:
The =&R ;eter-
The =&R meter is an important tool "or the electronics technician or hobbyist.
=lectrolytic capacitors that ha$e increases in =&R are o"ten the reason electronic
de$ices "ail. Bad electrolytic "ilter capacitors in the &;P& can cause all sorts o"
problems in LCD TVs including no or dim display# "lic0ering display# no power
nor audio etc. There is also lotDs o" electrolytic capacitors on the main board which
can also cause many problems li0e loss o" >&D# arti"acts.glitches in the picture no
$ideo etc. when the capacitors "ail.
=&R stands "or =2ui$alent &eries Resistance and is and e""ecti$e resistance that is
used to describe the resisti$e aspect o" the impedance o" certain electrical
components. The theoretical treatment o" capacitors assumes they are per"ect
components contributing only capacitance to a circuit# but all physical de$ices are
constructed o" material with some resistance to electricity. This means a capacitor
has a resistance as well as a capacitance. Capacitors also e%hibit reactance which
we will not discuss now.
;ost electrolytic capacitors ha$e a low =&R to begin with# depending on a
speci"ic capacitor and the a$erage =&R can usually be "ound on the spec. sheet "or
a certain capacitor i" you can "ind one. ;ost li0ely you will re"er to the chart o"
common =&R $alues that will come with your =&R meter or you can also "ind
them listed on the internet. !ormally with a bad electrolytic capacitor the =&R is
2uite higher than the common range. - capacitor =&R rises o$er time as they are
e%posed to and or dissipate heat# because they contain a li2uid electrolyte when
:6
they get hot the li2uid e%pands and is $ented out o" the capacitor and also the
electrolyte can brea0 down and go through chemical changes o$er time and
e%posure to heat also causing the =&R to increase.
The =&R meter is so $aluable because it allows you to 2uic0ly chec0 the many
electrolytic capacitors "ound in LCD TVs and other electronic de$ices and $ery
o"ten you can test them in circuit all though i" you e$er doubt the reading it ne$er
hurts to test the capacitors out o" circuit and this is a good practice with all
components or at least to unsolder and li"t one o" the components leads "rom the
circuit.
The Ring Tester-
The ring tester is an ine%pensi$e and e""ecti$e way to test any high F inducti$e
component. 1n LCD TV repair the ring tester is $ery use"ul "or testing switching
trans"ormers in the &;P& and ?V trans"ormers on the in$erter board.
The components in many circuit li0e the &;P& and in$erter board contain low
loss@high FA resonant circuits. The ring test got its name "rom the "act that when a
$ery "ast pulse o" current is sent through a high F circuit the tuned nature o" the
circuit will produce a decaying -C $oltage o" se$eral cycles or more. The more
rings the higher the F. Little or no rings indicates low F and a problem.
:9
The >scilloscope-
The oscilloscope or BscopeC is a piece o" electronic test e2uipment that is used to
$iew signal $oltages and "re2uencies# usually as a two dimensional graph. 1t is
dri$en by an input signal that has the e""ect o" producing a recogni3able pattern
on the screen that describes certain aspects o" the signal. >scilloscopes are $ery
use"ul tools and can help to 2uic0ly locate problems within electronics de$ices.
1 assume that many o" the readers do not own an oscilloscope or ha$e access to
one. 4ortunately this boo0 will be repairing LCD TVs with mostly a D;; #
analogue meter# =&R meter# ring tester and other tools. 1 repair lots o" TVs and
ha$e "or years Eust with mostly those meters 1 Eust mentioned# although sometimes
1 will need a scope "or those di""icult TVs and in that case# e%cept "or a "ew
ob$ious critical wa$e"orms# li0e the P/; output "rom the power and in$erter 1Cs
and chec0ing "or ripple on the secondary outputs in the &;P& a schematic would
be needed to 0now where and what wa$e"orms to loo0 "or in the particular model
o" LCD TV you are testing.
To learn more about the oscilloscope and how to use one clic0 on the lin0 below.
The analogue oscilloscope
:<
Digital Capacitance ;eter-
- digital capacitance meter with a large range is a good tool "or testing capacitors
capacitance $alue.
::
Lea0 &ee0er-
This is a great tool "or hunting down di""icult to "ind shorted components
especially circuits with lotDs o" &;D components. &imply touch Lea0&ee0erDs
gold-plated probe on any solder pad along the suspicious trace and Lea0&ee0er
automatically calibrates itsel" to the resistance o" the de"ect# within a 6< milli-ohm
KwindowK. Because the test $oltage is a current-limited eight $olts# it will power
through good diodes to acti$ate shorted components beyond. Touch a pad in one
direction or the other and Lea0&ee0er beeps higher or lower and lights the L=D
distance scale to indicate that youDre getting closer or "urther "rom the de"ect. The
6< milli-ohm window allows about 6 to 9 inches o" PCB trace to be chec0ed# then
automatically re-calibrates itsel" to a new window as you get closer to the short.
Because Lea0&ee0er has a range o" 3ero to :' ohms# it can locate not Eust
shorted# but lea0y parts as well. -nd unli0e your DV;# Lea0&ee0erDs uni2ue
K"loating re"erenceK circuitry doesnDt gi$e up resolution at these higher lea0age
$alues. >nce youDre in the general area o" the de"ect# switch "rom the -,T> to the
L>C7 position# ?igh De"inition mode. This loc0s the KwindowK and increases
resolution to '. milli-ohm# so you can pinpoint the location o" the de"ect within a
2uarter o" an inch# e$en on multilayer boards with a power plane instead o"
indi$idual traces. The currently a$ailable Lea0&ee0er )6B ?D has indicators "or
Kstandard resolutionK -,T> and Khigh de"initionK L>C7.
The solder pad where the beep is highest is the location o" the de"ect.
:+
&mart Twee3ers-
&mart Twee3ers is an LCR@1nductance#Capacitance#ResistanceA meter in a set o"
twee3ers. &mart Twee3ers "eatures a uni2ue patented mechanical and electronic
design that integrates a highly accurate digital multimeter with a built-in high
precision &;D probes and a display. This light weight de$ice can be easily held
by one hand. 1t is designed "or component e$aluation on a PCB or a production
line# component testing and sorting o" &;D components. &mart Twee3ers
dramatically reduces time necessary to troubleshoot or debug a comple% PCB
signi"icantly simpli"ying process o" locating a "aulty component.
&ome Precautions-
Be care"ul with your test e2uipment# donDt store meters in e%treme conditions@e.g.
=%treme hot or cold storageA. DonDt slam or seriously $ibrate the meter# especially
analogue meters which ha$e delicate parts inside.
Read the manuals that come with your di""erent meters.
-$oid ma0ing measurements that e%ceed the ma0ers recommendation in any
particular setting.
-$oid ma0ing $oltage or current measurements with the meter switched to the
resistance setting.
:(
&chematic Diagrams
&chematic diagrams can really ma0e troubleshooting LCD TVs much easier and
can o"ten be "ound online in ser$ice manuals a$ailable "or download. ;any times
though# the ser$ice manuals will not ha$e that much in"o and ha$e only partial or
no schematics at all. This is why it is so important to "urther your electronics
0nowledge and to be constantly studying. The more you 0now about electronics
and common circuits# the easier it will be "or you to recogni3e the circuits in the
TV you are wor0ing on and to 2uic0ly see how they wor0 and ha$e a good idea o"
to start troubleshooting the TV regardless o" whether or not you ha$e a schematic
diagram. 1" you ha$e a strong understanding o" electronics you will be able to
analy3e# troubleshoot and repair any circuit. 1t still ne$er hurts to see what
in"ormation you can "ind as the internet has made so much a$ailable to the
technician and hobbyist repairer that was not a$ailable to us in past so easily.
Bloc0 Diagrams-
?ere is a typical LCD TV bloc0 Diagram to help gi$e you an idea o" how they
wor0 "rom a to 3.
:)
,nderstanding and Testing Resistors
Resistors 1n -n LCD TV Power &upply
- resistor opposes the "low o" electrical current. Resistance is measured in ohms.
The main characteristics o" a resistor are itDs resistance $alue in ohms and itDs
power rating in watts. !e$er replace a resistor with a lower power rating than the
one remo$ed "rom the circuit# it is >7 to use one with a larger rating but ne$er
lower. Resistor resistance $alues add normally when connected in series# but add
in reciprocal when connected in parallel.
Resistor &chematic &ymbols
:*
Reading Resistors-
Resistors are mar0ed with colored bands to indicate the resistance $alue. Reading
"rom le"t to right# the "irst band is the "irst digit o" the resistance $alue the second
band is the second digit o" the resistance $alue. The third band is the the multiplier
and determines how many 3eros "ollow the "irst two digits# the "ourth band is
another important $alue and that is the tolerance.
The tolerance is the percent plus or minus that the $alue o" resistance can $ary
"rom the $alue calculated "rom the color bands. =%ample# a resistor with bands
"rom le"t to right o" red# brown# yellow and gold would be 6'#''' ohms or 6'0
ohms with a tolerance o" :L. &ometimes you will see resistors with "i$e bands# in
this case the "irst three bands are digits# the "ourth band is the multiplier and the
"i"th band is the tolerance band. &ome resistors li0e &;D ones "or instance will
use numbers instead o" bands but the idea is the same. 4or an &;D resistor with 9
numbers the "irst number is the "irst digit o" the resistance $alue the second
number is the second digit and the third number is the multiplier. &o and &;D
resistor mar0ed '9# would ha$e a $alue o" '0 ohm. -n R may be seen in the
$alue "or instance <R(# the R represents a decimal and in this case the $alue would
be <.( ohms.
+'
Testing Resistors-
Testing resistors can be done with your D;; or analogue meter. Determine the
$alue the resistor is supposed to be by using the color bands or numeric code. 1"
the resistor is burnt or discolored so that you can not read the bands you will need
the schematic diagram "or the TV you are wor0ing on or you will ha$e to use the
techni2ues described in the boo0# B4ind Burnt Resistor ValueC to determine the
resistors $alue through a systematic process.
+
>nce you 0now the $alue o" the resistor you want to test is supposed to be you can
simply set your D;; or analogue meter to the proper resistance range and
measure the actual $alue o" the resistor. 8ou should get a resistance measurement
with in the tolerance o" the gi$en resistor# most bad resistors will ha$e increased
in $alue or gone open reading >.L.. in"inite resistance. Charred and burnt resistors
are ob$iously bad and need replacement. -lways remo$e resistors "rom circuit
be"ore testing# as surrounding components may cause erroneous readings. /attage
is not always listed on resistors and is determined by the physical si3e.
Testing Resistor >n LCD ;ain Board
;eter Reading 6).+ ohms the resistor stated 66' ohms on the side and at :L
tolerance so this as a good resistor
+6
,nderstanding and Testing Capacitors
Capacitors 1n LCD Power &upply
- capacitor is a passi$e electronic component that consists o" two conductors
separated by a dielectric@insulatorA. /hen a potential di""erence@$oltageA e%ists
across the conductors an electric "ield is present within the dielectric. The e""ect is
greatest between wide# "lat# parallel conductors that are $ery slightly separated by
dielectric.
Capacitor &chematic &ymbols
+9
Capacitors are widely used in electronic circuits "or coupling@bloc0ing the "low o"
DC while allowing -C to passA# decoupling@also called bypassing# passes DC
while bloc0ing or bypassing -CA# "iltering inter"erence# &moothing the output
"rom bridge recti"iers# remo$ing ripple on the output o" &;P& power supplies and
many other purposes. Capacitor capacitance $alues add normally when connected
in parallel# but add in reciprocal when connected in series
Testing Capacitors-
;ethod one# use your analogue meter set to the % ohm range and connect the test
leads to the capacitor. The meters needle should 0ic0 up and then return to in"inity
i" it does not "lic0 or respond re$erse the test leads# i" it still does not "lic0 try
again with your analogue meter set to %' ohm# %'' ohm# %0 ohm and then
%'0 ohm range until you get a response i" the meter needle does not "lic0 when
the test leads are applied to the capacitor in any setting than the capacitor is
considered open. 1" the needle "lic0s up and stays at 3ero ohms the capacitor is
considered shorted# also i" it stays to any other $alue other than in"inity a"ter
"lic0ing it is lea0y. This method o" testing is "airly old and not the best method.
Just because a capacitor can charge or discharge does not mean it is a good
capacitor. 8ou can also use your D;; set to the resistance setting to do this test#
it should show some reading and then go to >.L.@>$er LimitA# and i" you re$erse
the test leads it should do the same again.
;ethod Two-
The second method "or testing capacitors is to use a capacitance meter or the
capacitance setting on your D;;# i" it has one. By placing the test leads o" the
meter to the leads o" the capacitor the meter will display the measured $alue.
The $alue o" measured capacitance should be what is mar0ed on the
capacitor@plus or minus the tolerance $alueA. Please note electrolytic capacitors
will ha$e the $alue "or capacitance "or capacitance mar0ed on the side in micro-
"arads@u4A along with the wor0ing $oltage. ;ost non-electrolytic capacitors will
ha$e their $alue in a numerical code mar0ed on the side.
+<
Just li0e resistors# the "irst two numbers are the "irst two digits o" the $alue and the
third is the multiplier. The $alue will be in pico-"arads. These three numbers are
"ollowed by a letter which denotes the tolerance $alue. ;ost electrolytic capacitors
in LCD TVs ha$e a tolerance o" 6'L. Both methods one and two are great "or
testing non-electrolytic capacitors.
;ethod Three-
This method in$ol$es the use o" an =&R meter.
=&R ;eter
+:
=lectrolytic capacitors are the most common capacitors to "ail in electronic de$ices
and one o" the most common components you will "ind "ailed in LCD TVs in
general.
=lectrolytic capacitors may test "ine with methods one and two but can ha$e a
raised =&R which is causing a "ailure that would be missed by the "irst two testing
methods. 1n this case you need the =&R meter to "ind the bad capacitors. To use
the =&R meter simply place the test leads to the leads o" an electrolytic capacitor
and compare the reading@in ohmsA to the one on a chart o" typical =&R $alues "or
electrolytic capacitors that should come with your =&R meter. ;ost =&R meters
will ha$e an =&R $alue chart right on the meter itsel".
++
8ou can usually chec0 electrolytic capacitors in circuit# but 1 still recommend
pulling them out o" circuit or at least de-soldering and li"ting one lead o" the
capacitor be"ore testing.
,sing =&R meter to test &;D electrolytic capacitors on the main board
+(
Chec0ing =&R >" &econdary 4ilter Capacitor >n Power &upply Board
To sum things up the "irst two methods are great "or testing non-electrolytic
capacitors li0e ceramic disc capacitors# etc.# or the "irst method "or testing
electrolytic capacitors to see i" they are open # lea0y or shorted. -lso it doesnDt hurt
to ma0e sure the capacitance o" electrolytic capacitors is within tolerance. The
third method# using the =&R meter is the best way to test electrolytic capacitors
and these are the most common capacitors to "ail in electronic circuits# caused by a
raised =&R.
8ou can tell this electrolytic capacitor is bad Eust by loo0ing at it# always
replace any pu""y or $ented electrolytic capacitors# no need to e$en test them
e%cept "or curiosity.
+)
;ore ob$iously bad electrolytic capacitors
&ymbol 4or =&R
+*
Testing Ceramic Capacitors-
Ceramic Capacitors
&;D Ceramic Chip Capacitors
,se method one and two described earlier to test these types o" capacitors.
Testing Ceramic Chip Capacitor >n ;ain Board /ith Capacitance &etting
>" D;;
('
;eter Reading in n4@nano"aradsA '.':6 nano"arads or :6 pico"arads
To test the test the high $oltage resin coated ceramic capacitors li0e "ound on the
secondary side o" some in$erters# you will ha$e to use an insulation tester as the
low $oltage output "rom your D;; or analogue meter is not enough to test this
type o" capacitor. -lso these capacitors will also many times ha$e physical damage
that you can see li0e a crac0 in the resin coating or discoloration or burn.
:p4 97V Ceramic Capacitors on &econdary &ide >" -n LCD TV 1n$erter
(
-n 1nsulation Tester
(6
,nderstanding and Testing 1nductors
1nductors 1n &econdary &ide >" P&,
-n inductor also called a reactor# coil or cho0e is a component that e%hibits
reactance resisting changes in current "low and can store energy in a magnetic
"ield when an electric current pulses through it. &ince inductors resist changes in
current "low# they attenuate or Bcho0eC high "re2uency -C signals ma0ing them
$ery use"ul in "ilters and in tuned circuits.
&chematic &ymbols 4or 1nductors
(9
Testing 1nductors-
Testing inductors is "airly simple. Basically an inductor is a wire coil wrapped
around a core@ some ha$e no core called an air coreA o"ten made o" "errite.
,se your analogue meter set at % ohm or your D;; set to resistance setting and
place test leads onto the leads o" the inductor. 8ou should get some reading#
usually $ery $ery low ohms your D;; may e$en show ' ohms. 1" you get an
in"inite or >.L. Reading the inductor is considered open and should be replaced.
Testing 1nductor 1n LCD TV Power &upply
1" the coil is not open you can also use the inductance setting o" your D;; or an
inductance meter i" you ha$e one or the other and chec0 that the inductance is
within tolerance o" the $alue mar0ed on the inductor.
(<
1nductor Color Code
(:
4or high F low loss coils li0e the primary winding o" the &;P& switching
trans"ormer you should use a ring tester to chec0 "or shorts between windings.
Place the test leads o" the ring tester onto the leads o" the inductor and chec0 the
amount o" L=Ds that light up to indicate the rings "or the coil you are testing# the
more L=Ds the better. ;ost ?igh F coils will light up at least one green L=D.
8ou should see what 0ind o" reading you get "rom $arious 0nown good inductors#
so you 0now what 0inds o" readings you should be loo0ing "or when testing
inductors in LCD TVs.
(+
,nderstanding and Testing Transistors
- transistor is a semiconductor de$ice commonly used to ampli"y or switch
electronic signals. - transistor is made o" doped semiconductor material Eunctions#
with at least three terminals "or connection to an e%ternal circuit. - $oltage or
current applied to one pair o" the transistorDs terminals changes the current "lowing
through another pair o" terminals.
((
BJT-
Bipolar Junction Transistors@BJTsA are made "rom three sections o" semiconductor
material# alternating p type and n type resulting in two pn Eunctions# one pn
Eunction e%isting between the emitter and the base the other e%isting between the
collector and the base. BJTs are classi"ied as npn or pnp depending on the
arrangement o" there n and p type material.
&chematic &ymbol
()
Testing BJTs-
4irst determine whether you will be testing an npn or pnp transistor and which
pins are the base# emitter and collector by loo0ing the transistors part number up
online or loo0ing in the LCD TV schematic diagram i" you can not "ind this
in"ormation# use the method "ound in this boo0 BTesting =lectronic ComponentsC
to determine the in"ormation stated abo$e. >nce you ha$e determined the type
@npn or pnpA o" BJT you will be testing and which leads are the base# emitter and
collector you are ready to test. &et your D;; to the diode test setting. 4or npn
type BJT place the blac0 test lead on the base pin and the red test lead on the
emitter and then the collector pin# both readings should be >.L.@>$er LimitA. !e%t
place the red test lead on the base and the blac0 test lead on the collector and then
the emitter. 8ou should get about a '.<-'.( $oltage drop "or both readings. Placing
the blac0 test lead on the collector and the red test lead on the emitter should gi$e
you an >.L# reading and i" you re$erse the test leads so that the blac0 test lead is
on the emitter and the red test lead is on the collector# you should again get an >.L.
Reading. Ietting a low reading in both directions between base and emitter
indicates a shorted Eunction# also i" you get a low reading in both directions
between base and collector this also is a shorted Eunction. - transistor can ha$e one
or both Eunctions shorted when they "ail. -n >.L. Reading in both directions
between base and emitter indicates an open Eunction as does an >.L. Reading in
both directions on base and collector.
!ow "or pnp you will per"orm the same test only it will be done with the polarity
o" the test leads re$ersed "or each step.
(*
&tep Testing an !P! BJT /ith D;;
&tep 6 Testing !P! BJT /ith D;; @&imply Repeat M 6 /ith Test Leads
1n Re$erse Polarity 4or &teps 9 -nd <A
)'
&tep Testing an P!P BJT /ith D;;
&tep 6 Testing P!P BJT /ith D;; @&imply Repeat M 6 /ith Test Leads
1n Re$erse Polarity 4or &teps 9 -nd <A
)
8ou can also use your analogue meter to test BJTs. &et your meter to the % ohm
range and per"orm the test in the same manner as with the D;; only instead o" a
$oltage drop reading you will be loo0ing at a resistance reading and the test leads
in the ohms range are re$ersed in comparison to a D;; the blac0 test lead is
positi$e and the red test lead is negati$e# but the idea is the same between base and
emitter you should ha$e a low reading in one direction and a high
reading@in"inityA in the other direction# same with the base and collector. 8ou
should get in"inite reading in both directions between collector and emitter in the
% ohm range.
Testing P!P BJT with -nalogue meter
Testing P!P BJT with -nalogue meter
)6
&ome D;; ha$e a transistor test mode "or chec0ing h4=@beta or gainA. 8ou can
use this setting to test i" a BJTs h4= is within tolerance.
D;; h4= &etting
;>&4=Ts-
Power ;>&4=T& 1! LCD P&,
)9
The ;>&4=T or ;etal >%ide &emiconductor 4ield =""ect Transistor is a
component similar to the BJT in the "act that it can ampli"y or switch electronic
signals. The BJT relies on ma0ing a re$erse biased Eunction conduct by applying
an electronic signal to the other Eunction. The ;>&4=T or 4=T@4ield =""ect
TransistorA is entirely di""erent. 1n a ;>&4=T a strip o" semiconductor material
either n or p doped between the source and drain is made either more or less
conducti$e by the presence o" an electric charge between the gate and source.
The ;>&4=T has three terminals or leads# the gate# source and drain. Both n
channel and p channel de$ices are used in LCD TVs.
&pecial care must be ta0en@=&D Bracelet etc.A when handling small signal
;>&4=Ts# because the gate is completely insulated "rom the source and drain by
a $ery thin "ilm o" silicon dio%ide. The insulation brea0s down at roughly 6'-''V
depending upon the thic0ness o" the silicon dio%ide "ilm.
;>&4=T 1Cs on the in$erter board.
)<
;>&4=T &chematic &ymbol
Testing ;>&4=Ts-
>nce you ha$e loo0ed up the part number o" the ;>&4=T you want to test online
or in a parts re"erence manual or loo0ed at the schematic diagram "or the TV you
are wor0ing on and 0now where all the pins are set your analogue meter to the
%'0 range to chec0 the ;>&4=T. LetDs say you are testing an n channel
;>&4=T# put the blac0 test lead on the drain pin then touch the gate pin with the
red test lead. This will discharge the ;>&4=Ts internal capacitance. !e%t place
the red test lead to the source pin while still holding the blac0 test lead to the drain
pin. !ow ta0e a "inger# while still holding the test leads in place# red on source and
blac0 on drain# and use that "inger to touch the gate and drain pin at the same time
connecting them# the analogue meters needle should mo$e "rom in"inity to around
the center position o" the meters indicator. Ta0ing the red test lead o"" the source
pin and placing it bac0 on the source pin the needle should still go bac0 to the
middle o" the meters indicator. To discharge the ;>&4=T li"t the red test lead
"rom the source pin and touch it to the gate pin# this will discharge the internal
capacitance again and i" you again place the red test lead on the source pin and the
blac0 test lead to the drain pin# the needle on the indicator should not mo$e and
gi$e an in"inite ohms reading. Testing a p channel ;>&4=T is the same as "or an
n channel ;>&4=T only you will re$erse the test leads. 1" all measurements ta0en
"rom a ;>&4=T are low ohms or 3ero ohms reading on the indicator and the
;>&4=T will not discharge than the ;>&4=T is considered shorted.
):
&tep Testing ! Channel ;>&4=T
&tep 6 Testing ! Channel ;>&4=T
)+
&tep 9 Testing ! Channel ;>&4=T
)(
&pecial testing de$ices are a$ailable Eust "or testing ;>&4=T transistors.
-lternati$e ;>&4=T Test ;ethods-
D=-;>&4=T @Depletion.=nhancement Type#A Test ,sing an ohmmeter set to
the % '' ohm scale# measure the resistance between the ;>&4=T drain and the
source# then re$erse the ohmmeter leads and ta0e another reading. The readings
should be e2ual# regardless o" meter lead polarity. Connect the positi$e lead o" the
ohmmeter to the gate. ,sing the negati$e lead# measure the resistance between the
gate and the drain and between the gate and the source. Both readings should show
in"inity. Disconnect the positi$e lead "rom the gate and connect the negati$e lead
to the gate. ,sing the positi$e lead# measure the resistance between the gate and
the drainN then measure it between the gate and the source. Both readings should
show in"inity. 1" the ;>&4=T has a substrate connection# Disconnect the negati$e
lead "rom the gate and connect it to the substrate. ,sing the positi$e lead# measure
the resistance between the substrate and the drain and between the substrate and
the source. Both o" these readings should indicate in"inity. Disconnect the negati$e
lead "rom the substrate and connect the positi$e lead to the substrate. ,sing the
negati$e lead# measure the resistance between the substrate and the drain and
between the substrate and the source. Both readings should indicate a low
resistance @about #''' ohmsA.
))
=-;>&4=T @=nhancement Type# The most common type you will encounterA
Test ,sing an ohmmeter set to the % '' ohm scale# measure the resistance
between the drain and the source# then re$erse the leads and ta0e another reading
between the drain and the source. Both readings should show in"inity# regardless
o" meter lead polarity. Connect the positi$e lead o" the ohmmeter to the gate.
,sing the negati$e lead# measure the resistance between the gate and the drain and
then between the gate and the source. Both readings should indicate in"inity.
Disconnect the positi$e lead "rom the gate and connect the negati$e lead to the
gate. ,sing the positi$e lead# measure the resistance between the gate and the
drain and then between the gate and the source. Both readings should indicate
in"inity. 1" the ;>&4=T has a substrate connection# Disconnect the negati$e lead
"rom the gate and connect it to the substrate. ,sing the positi$e lead# measure the
resistance between the substrate and the drain and between the substrate and the
source. Both o" these readings should indicate in"inity. Disconnect the negati$e
lead "rom the substrate and connect the positi$e lead to the substrate. ,sing the
negati$e lead# measure the resistance between the substrate and the drain and
between the substrate and the source. Both readings should indicate a low
resistance @about #''' ohmsA.
8ou should always try and "ind a data sheet "or the ;>&4=T you are testing
because you will "ind some ;>&4=Ts will ha$e di""erent characteristics that will
ma0e the test readings slightly di""erent. 4or instance the P!7:'O has a diode
between source and drain# so that when testing you will get a reading in one
direction between source and drain in %'' ohm setting and this is normal.
)*
,nderstanding and Testing Diodes
Diodes 1n LCD TV &tandby Circuit
- diode is a two terminal electronic component that allows electric current to "low
in only one direction. The word diode is usually associated with the semiconductor
diode which is the most common diode in use at the time 1 am writing this. The
semiconductor diode is made up o" a pn Eunction.
Recti"ier Diode &hown !e%t To &chematic &ymbol
*'
&chematic &ymbols 4or Di""erent Types >" Diodes
*
Testing The Diode-
,sing your D;; set to the diode test mode# place the blac0 test lead on the
cathode@mar0ed with a bandA lead o" the diode and the red test lead on the anode.
8ou should get a $oltage drop reading o" between '.<:-'.(. Re$erse the test leads
so that the red test lead is on the cathode and the blac0 test lead is on the anode
and you should get an >.L. Reading.
1" you get a low reading in both directions the diode is considered shorted and i"
you get an >.L. reading in both "orward and re$erse bias directions the diode is
considered open# in both cases the diode must be replaced. ;ost commonly diodes
will be shorted.
*6
&tep Testing Diode /ith D;;
&tep 6 Testing Diode /ith D;;
Testing Diodes /ith analogue ;eter-
,sing your analogue meter set to the % ohm range place the red test lead on the
cathode and the blac0 test lead on the anode# you should get a low ohms reading
and re$ersing the test leads you should get a reading o" in"inity.
*9
!ow set the meter to %'0 range and repeat the same test# you should get the same
results. 1" when you ha$e the red probe on the anode and the blac0 probe on the
cathode in the %'0 range you get any reading the diode is lea0y and must be
replaced.
&tep Testing Diode /ith -nalogue ;eter &et To % ohm Range
&tep 6 Testing Diode /ith -nalogue ;eter &et To % ohm Range
*<
&tep Testing Diode /ith -nalogue ;eter &et To %'0 ohm Range
&tep 6 Testing Diode /ith -nalogue ;eter &et To %'0 ohm Range
*:
&chott0y Diodes-
&chott0y Diodes 1n LCD TV &;P&
&chott0y diodes also 0nown as hot carrier diodes are semiconductor diodes with a
lower "orward $oltage drop than a standard diode and a $ery "ast switching action.
/hen a current "lows through a diode there is a $oltage drop which as stated
earlier is about '.<:-'.(V "or normal diodes# but a schott0y diodes $oltage drop is
between '.: and '.<:V# the lower $oltage drop means higher circuit e""iciency.
The most important "eature o" the schott0y compared with the normal pn diode is
re$erse reco$ery time# the time it ta0e to switch "rom conducting to nonconducting
and nonconducting to conducting. &chott0y diodes can loo0 $ery similar to normal
diodes in design. >"ten they come in a dual pac0age with the two diodes cathodes
being common.
Dual Pac0age &chott0y
*+
Testing &chott0y Diodes-
>nce you 0now the diode you are going to test is a schott0y than you need to use
your analogue meter and set it to the %'0 ohm range. Testing is similar to the
normal diode only you will get a reading in both directions. This is a normal
characteristic o" a schott0y diode. The reading should be "ull scale de"lection with
the red test lead on the cathode and the blac0 test lead on the anode# then with the
blac0 test lead on the cathode and the red test lead on the anode you will get a
small lea0age reading. 1" you get two "ull scale de"lection readings the schott0y
diode is shorted and needs to be replaced# i" the reading is in"inite in both
directions the schott0y diode is open and must be replaced. Testing the schott0y in
the % ohm range will be Eust li0e testing a normal diode# also note that not all
schott0y diodes will gi$e a reading in both directions when set to %'0 but Eust be
aware that this 0ind o" diode can ha$e a reading in both directions when measuring
in the %'0 setting unli0e a normal diode.
&tep Testing &chott0y Diode 1n % ohm &etting
*(
&tep 6 Testing &chott0y Diode 1n % ohm &etting
&tep 9 Testing &chott0y Diode 1n % ohm &etting
*)
&tep < Testing &chott0y Diode 1n % ohm &etting
Oener Diodes-
Oener Diodes 1n LCD TV &;P& &econdary side
**
- 3ener diode is a diode that not only permits current "low in the typical direction
but also in the bias direction when the $oltage applied is greater than the
brea0down $oltage called the 3ener $oltage. - 3ener diode e%hibits $ery similar
properties to that o" a normal diode e%cept it is specially designed to ha$e a low
re$erse brea0down $oltage or 3ener $oltage. This is done by hea$ily doping the pn
Eunction o" the diode. Doping is the process o" introducing speci"ic amounts o"
impurities to the semiconductor material "or the purpose o" changing itDs
conducti$ity. The brea0down $oltage o" 3ener diodes can be controlled 2uite
accurately through the process o" doping. Common brea0down $oltages range
"rom around .6V to 6''V. Oener diodes are normally used as a $oltage re"erence
or as shunt regulators "or $oltage regulation in smaller circuits because o" their
ability to maintain a "airly constant $oltage drop with a $arying current.
Testing Oener Diodes-
Testing 3ener diodes is best done with a 3ener diode tester.
''
Oener Diode Tester
-lthough another process that can be used is "ound in this boo0 BTesting
=lectronics ComponentsC
-nother method "or testing 3ener diodes in$ol$es the use o" a $ariable DC power
supply and an ammeter.
'
Connect the 3ener diode you want to test in series with a resistor to limit current
"low through the testing circuit@the $alue o" the resistor will depend on the 3ener
diode and how much current it is rated "orA. Then connect the ammeter o" proper
si3e or the current setting o" your D;; set to the proper range in series with the
3ener diode and resistor. Connect the cathode end o" the diode to the positi$e
terminal o" the $ariable DC power supply and the "ree anode to the negati$e
terminal o" the DC power supply. Turn on the $ariable DC power supply and
slowly increase the $oltage. !o current should "low through the circuit as
indicated by the ammeter until the $oltage is raised to the brea0down $oltage o"
the 3ener diode under test.
=%ample Oener Diode Test Circuit
'6
,nderstanding and Testing Bridge Recti"iers
Bridge Recti"ier 1n LCD TV P&,
The purpose o" the bridge recti"ier is to con$ert -C $oltage into DC $oltage.
&ymbol 4or Bridge Recti"ier
- bridge recti"ier is an arrangement o" "our diodes in a bridge con"iguration and
commonly comes in one integrated pac0age containing all "our diodes. - diode
bridge or a bridge recti"ier gi$e "ull wa$e recti"ication.
'9
Bridge Recti"ier 1C
'<
Testing Bridge Recti"iers-
,sing your analogue meter set to %'0 ohms range place the test leads to the
negati$e and the "irst -C pin and then re$erse the leads# you should show a low
resistance in one direction and in"inite in the other direction. !e%t do the same test
with the negati$e pin and the second -C pin the results should be the same. !ow
do the same tests only with the positi$e pin and both the -C pins# the results
should again be the same. 1" you "ind low ohms reading in both directions on any
o" these tests then the bridge recti"ier must be replaced# also i" you get an in"inite
reading in both directions the bridge recti"ier must be replaced. 1" instead o" a
bridge recti"ier in integrated pac0age you "ind "our indi$idual diodes in a bridge
con"iguration# test each diode indi$idually and i" e$en one diode is "aulty replace
all "our.
&tep Testing Bridge Recti"ier 1C
':
&tep 6 Testing Bridge Recti"ier 1C
&tep 9 Testing Bridge Recti"ier 1C
'+
&tep < Testing Bridge Recti"ier 1C
&tep : Testing Bridge Recti"ier 1C
'(
&tep + Testing Bridge Recti"ier 1C
&tep ( Testing Bridge Recti"ier 1C
')
&tep ) Testing Bridge Recti"ier 1C
'*
,nderstanding and Testing L=Ds
L=Ds >n LCD TV &tatus Board
-n L=D or Light =mitting Diode is a semiconductor component source o" light.
L=Ds are used as indicator lights in LCD TVs. The L=D is based on the
technology o" the semiconductor diode# when an L=D is "orward biased@turned
onA electrons recombine with holes inside the component creating an e""ect called
thermoluminescence.
'
,p close Picture o" &;D L=Ds
&chematic &ymbol 1n Comparison /ith Physical L=D

Testing L=Ds-
Testing an L=D is $ery simple# it will emit light when "orward biased and will not
emit light when re$erse biased. 1" an L=D does not light when "orward biased then
it has gone open circuit and must be replaced. To test# set your analogue meter to
% ohm range. Place the red test lead on the cathode pin this side is indicated by a
"lat spot on the plastic pac0age or a line on &;D pac0ages# the anode side will not
ha$e the "lat spot. /hile the red test lead is on the cathode touch the blac0 probe
to the anode pin and the L=D should light# remo$e lead 2uic0ly a"ter L=D lights
so as not to damage it.
Testing &;D L=D >n LCD TV L=D.&tatus Board
1" you re$erse the test leads the diode will not light.
6
,nderstanding and Testing &witching
Trans"ormers
&witching Trans"ormer 1n LCD TV P&,
Basic Trans"ormer &chematic &ymbol
9
&witching trans"ormers are "ound in the &;P& o" LCD TVs@The high $oltage
trans"ormers on the in$erter board are also a type o" switching trans"ormer that we
will discuss laterA. The "unction o" the switching trans"ormer is to con$ert a
$oltage applied across itDs primary winding into a lower or higher $oltage across
itDs secondary windings depending on the amount o" turns in the primary and
secondary windings o" the switching trans"ormer. &witching trans"ormers are
robust components and rarely brea0down# and when it does it will normally cause
components in the primary side o" the switching trans"ormers circuits that dri$e
itDs primary to blow."ail# as well and most li0ely blow the main "use. The most
common "ailure is a shorted primary winding. The secondary windings seldom
ha$e issues in the LCD TV &;P& due to the "act that they step down $oltage and
the secondaries ha$e $ery "ew windings# The primary howe$er has many winding.
To test the primary winding o" the switching trans"ormer use a ring tester. Locate
the primary winding pins by "irst "ollowing the trace "rom the positi$e pin o" the
reser$oir capacitor will lead you to the "irst pin.
<
!e%t "ollow the trace "rom the power ;>&4=T.s source to the ne%t pin o" the
primary winding. Place the test leads o" the ring tester to these two pins. ;ost
switching trans"ormers will light up "our to eight L=Ds# o" course i" you can#
chec0 your reading against that o" 0nown good switching trans"ormer that is the
same e%actly as the suspected one under test# o" course this normally is not
possible# so i" you only light up one to two or no L=Ds it is most li0ely that the
switching trans"ormer has shorted windings and needs to be replaced. 1" the
switching trans"ormer tests bad always remo$e it "rom the circuit board and test
again to be sure. 1" it tests good out o" circuit suspect other "ailed components in
the &;P& perhaps a shorted secondary side diode. 1" a switching trans"ormer is
"ound to be bad you may ha$e trouble "inding an e%act replacement and you may
ha$e to "ind a company or person online that will rewind it "or you
or you can attempt to rewind it yoursel" with instructions "ound online. 8ou can
also chec0 switching trans"ormers "or an open primary winding although it is not a
common "ailure. &et your D;; to the ohms setting or your analogue meter to %
ohm range. Chec0 "or a low ohms reading across the primary winding. 1" the
reading is >.L. >r in"inity than the winding is considered open and the trans"ormer
must be replaced or rewound.
8ou can also chec0 the secondary windings to ma0e sure they are not open and i"
you ha$e another o" the same switching trans"ormer to compare with you can ring
the secondary windings as well although because they ha$e less windings they will
not light up as many L=Ds# e$en only one L=D or none and this is normal. 1" you
get no rings on the secondary windings you can also chec0 them with an =&R
meter to compare with another trans"ormer# since the windings ha$e reactance they
will gi$e high =&R reading on the =&R meter# i" you get 3ero ohms on the =&R
meter this could be a sign o" shorted secondary windings. -nother test is to set
your analogue meter to the %'0 ohms range and place one test lead on a pin o" the
primary side and the other lead touch to the pins on the secondary side. 8ou should
not get any reading between the primary and secondary windings.
:
Chec0ing 4or >pen Primary /inding 1n &;P& &witching Trans"ormer
+
,nderstanding and Testing >pto-1solators
>pto-isolators 1n LCD TV &;P&
-n opto-isolator also called an opto-coupler or photo-coupler is a component that
allows a signal to pass "rom one circuit to another but allows the two circuits to
remain electrically isolated. The most common opto-isolator which comes in 1C
pac0age consists o" an L=D which shines onto the base o" a photo-transistor#
usually an npn transistor. - signal is applied to the L=D which then shines light
that is $aried in brightness with the same amplitude as the input signal. This light
lands upon the photo-transistor which passes the signal onto the ne%t circuit.
(
Testing >pto-1solators-
,sing your analogue meter set to the % ohm range test the L=D side o" the opto-
isolator. /hich will be "ound be loo0ing up the part number online or re"erring to
the LCD TVs schematic. - common opto-isolator "ound in LCD TVs is the )(
type "or instance the PC)(.
)
;ultiple Pac0age Types
Placing the test leads on both pins o" the L=D side o" the opto-isolator and then
re$ersing them you should get a low ohms reading in one direction and in"inite
reading in the other. 1" you get a low ohm reading in both directions the L=D side
is shorted and the opto-isolator needs to be replaced. 1" you get an in"inite reading
in both directions# the L=D side is open and again the opto-isolator must be
replaced.
!e%t you must test the transistor side o" the opto-isolator. &ome opto-isolators will
ha$e si% pins in which case the three pins that correspond to the transistor side o"
the 1C will base# emitter and collector and on the L=D side the three pins will be
the anode# cathode and one pin with no connection. 1" you ha$e a si% pin opto-
isolator# re"er to the section o" this boo0 on testing transistors to chec0 the
transistor side. 1" you ha$e a "our pin opto-isolator which 1 "ind is most common in
LCD TVs# then set your analogue meter to the %'0 ohm range and place the test
leads on the two pins o" the transistor side which will be the emitter and collector
and then re$erse the test leads. 8ou should get a high ohm reading with the test
leads in one direction and an in"inite reading in the other direction.
*
&i% Pin >pto-isolator
1" you get a high ohm reading or low ohm reading in both directions the opto-
isolator must be replaced. !ow set the meter to % ohm range and place the test
leads on the emitter and collector in both directions again# now you should get
only an in"inite reading in both directions# otherwise the opto-isolator must be
replaced.
6'
&tep testing L=D side
&tep 6 testing L=D side
6
&tep 9 testing transistor side
&tep < testing transistor side
66
,nderstanding and Testing Voltage Regulators
Voltage Regulator 1Cs on LCD TV ;ain Board
- $oltage regulator is an electronic circuit designed to automatically maintain a
constant output $oltage regardless o" "luctuations in input $oltage or current draw
"rom the load@to an e%tentA.
69
Testing Voltage Regulator 1C-
To test the $oltage regulator 1C you must chec0 it in circuit with the TV plugged in
and or power on to the LCD TV. Power the TV on and set your D;; or analogue
meter to the proper DC $oltage setting. Place your blac0 test lead to cold ground
and care"ully place your red test lead to the output pin o" the regulator# usually pin
three on many $oltage regulators# li0e the L;()':. Remember to always loo0 up
your part numbers "or the part you are testing i" needed so you can be sure to test it
properly.
Typical L;()': Pac0age
!ow you should e%pect the output $oltage to be within tolerance o" the regulators
speci"ied $oltage. &o "or an L;()': you should e%pect about :.-:.*V DC# i" you
measure a low $oltage li0e say V you should turn the TV o"" and unplug it then
li"t the output pin o" the regulator "rom the circuit. Then power the TV on again
and retest chec0ing the $oltage right on the li"ted pin# 1" the $oltage is bac0 to
around :V again instead o" V then the 1C is most li0ely good and you should
suspect shorted components in the circuit a"ter the regulator that are pulling down
the $oltage. 1" the $oltage is still low then the regulator is most li0ely bad and
needs to be replaced@granted the input $oltage is goodA. 1" you measure >V on the
output and e$en in the case we Eust discussed you should also chec0 the $oltage on
the input o" the $oltage regulator and ma0e sure it is at least the regulation $oltage
plus the regulators Bdrop outC $oltage. The drop out $oltage is the $oltage that the
input must be abo$e the regulation $oltage "or the gi$en regulator# to maintain a
regulated output. 4or instance i" a L;()': had a drop out $oltage o" 6V then it
would re2uire at least a (V input to maintain a :V regulated output. 1" the input
$oltage is low suspect bad components in the circuit "eeding the regulator.
6<
Chec0ing 1nput Voltage to Regulator
Chec0ing >utput Voltage 4rom Regulator
6:
,nderstanding and Testing &witches
Typical Tactile &witch 4ound 1n LCD TVs
- switch is an electronic component which can brea0 a circuit or di$ert current
"rom one part o" a circuit to another part. The most common type o" switch you
will see in LCD TVs is the tactile switch or Btact switchC. The common
con"iguration is single pole single throw# normally open or Bpush to ma0eC
momentary contact.
&witch &chematic &ymbols
Testing Tactile &witches-
6+
Testing tactile switches and any switch in general is $ery simple. &et your D;;
to the continuity setting or your analogue meter to the % ohm range and place the
test leads on to pins on opposite sides o" the switch@polarity does not matterA. 8ou
should get a reading o" in"inity. !ow while still 0eeping the test leads on the pins#
depress the button and the meter indicator should gi$e a low or 3ero ohms reading
and when you release the button the indicator should return to >.L. or in"inity.
Please note this is only "or testing single pole single throw# normally open or
Bpush to ma0eC momentary contact switches# but 1 thin0 you can see how easy it
would be to test any switch with a continuity meter.
6(
,nderstanding and Testing 4uses
4use 1n LCD P&,
Pico 4uses >n LCD TV 1n$erter Board
6)
- "use is an electronic component that is used as a sacri"icial de$ice "or o$er
current protection. 1t contains a wire or strip that melts when to much current
"lows though it# which interrupts the circuit that it is connected to. - "use is
destroyed by e%cessi$e current so that "urther damage or inEury is pre$ented "rom
o$erheating or "ire. -lways replace a "use with the e%act same $alue# type and
rating as the one remo$ed "rom the circuit.
&chematic &ymbol 4or 4use
Testing 4uses-
&et your D;; to continuity setting or your analogue meter to % ohm range.
Place the test leads the terminal caps or leads o" the "use@polarity does not matterA#
you should get a $ery# $ery low reading or 3ero ohms. This is the characteristic o"
a good "use. - bad "use will gi$e a high# >.L.or in"inite ohm reading. 8ou can also
normally $isually inspect glass "uses and see they ha$e blown# or the metal strip
has Eust opened.
Testing - 4use
6*
Testing - Pico 4use
9'
&ome Testing Tips
--lways test components with a meter that is 0nown to be good# with "resh
batteries installed.
-1 suggest remo$ing components "rom the circuit be"ore testing. >"ten surrounding
components in the circuit cause erroneous readings to occur. -t least li"t.remo$e
one lead "rom the circuit "or most components.
-Learn how to test all electronic components and practice testing them so you can
"eel con"ident in yoursel" when testing components. -gain 1 highly recommend the
boo0 BTesting =lectronic ComponentsC # as 1 was not able to completely go o$er
all the components "ound in electronic circuits and how to test them.
-Learn how to use your test e2uipment. Read the manuals and understand all the
"unctions and settings. 8our test e2uipment is your best "riend when repairing
LCD TVs. &o the better you 0now how to use this e2uipment the "aster and easier
it will be to apply them to testing circuits and you may e$en de$elop some new
testing methods yoursel".
9
,se"ul 4ormulas
These are Eust e%amples o" the basic and most commonly used "ormulas in
electronics. 8ou should 0now These by heart. There are many more that you
should study and learn as well i" you plan to "urther your understanding o"
electronics. These "ormulas are to be used "or DC circuits or resonant -C@;eaning
$oltage and current are in phase and that the circuit 1mpedance is e2ual to the
circuit resistanceA circuit calculations.
96
?ow To Disassemble -n LCD TV
4irst start by laying a thic0 so"t blan0et out on a table large enough to lay the "ace
o" the LCD TV on.
Lay The LCD TV >n 1ts 4ace
!e%t remo$e all the screws "rom the stand and remo$e the stand. !e%t remo$e all
the screws "rom the bac0 o" the TV# it help to ha$e a cup to 0eep all the screws in.
99
Remo$e the bac0 and set it aside. !ow you will ha$e "ull access to the
PCBs@Printed Circuit BoardA. To remo$e a PCB "or component testing or "or
replacement# simply disconnect any cables going to the board "rom their
connectors. Label them i" necessary.
=%posed PCBs
9<
!e%t remo$e all the screws that hold the PCB to the TV. The board should now
come loose. 8ou may now test or replace components on the board you
remo$ed@remember i" you remo$e the P&, the "irst thing you need to do is to
discharge the reser$oir or primary side "ilter capacitorA.
9:
Voltage Test Points
/arningPPP
Be care"ul when ta0ing $oltage measurements. -lways an isolation trans"ormer.
Remember when ta0ing measurements on the primary.hot side o" the &;P& use
the corresponding primary side ground@hot groundA and when ta0ing
measurements on the secondary.cold side use the secondary@cold groundA.
1solation Trans"ormer
Bridge Recti"ier-
9+
Plug the LCD TV in and locate the -C pins o" the bridge recti"ier mar0ed by a
wa$y line@this is the -C symbolA. &et your D;; or analogue meter to the proper
-C $oltage setting. !ow place your test leads against the -C pins o" the bridge
recti"ier. ?old them tightly and care"ully in position be sure not to slip and short
anything with your test leads.
Placing Test Leads on -C Pins >" Bridge Recti"ier
8ou should get a reading o" around '-6' $olts -C@,&-# in some other
countries the $oltage may be di""erent "ind out the mains in your country and this
is what you should e%pectA 1" you get 3ero $olts then chec0 in the circuits be"ore
the bridge recti"ier# could be bad components in the =;1 circuit# Blown main "use#
bad -C cord# electrical receptacle has no power# bad components in passi$e P4C
circuit i" TV uses this type o" P4C# bad solder connection in circuits be"ore or at
bridge recti"ier etc.
9(
Reser$oir Capacitor.Primary 4ilter Capacitor-
>nce we ha$e con"irmed that the bridge recti"ier is recei$ing an -C input at the
proper $oltage we can now e%pect to "ind a DC $oltage at the pins o" the
reser$oir.primary "ilter capacitor. ;a0e sure the TV is plugged in. !ow set your
D;; or analogue meter to the proper DC $oltage setting place your blac0 test
lead to the negati$e pin o" the reser$oir capacitor# ne%t place the red test lead on
the positi$e pin o" the reser$oir capacitor. Be e%tremely care"ul not to accidentally
slip and short the pins o" the capacitor together.
Testing Voltage -t The Reser$oir.Primary 4ilter Capacitor
8ou should get a reading o" about :'-+'V DC@,&-# 1" acti$e P4C is used
e%pect 9:'-<''VA.
1" you get the right reading then mo$e on to the ne%t $oltage test. 1" you get 3ero or
$ery low $oltage chec0 the surrounding circuits components# loo0 "or bad solder
connections crac0s in the copper trace# unplug TV then remo$e and test the bridge
recti"ier etc.
9)
Power 1C-
4irst you must loo0 up the part number o" the power 1C you will be testing the
positi$e supply $oltage pin o". >nce you locate the positi$e supply $oltage pin o"
your power 1C# set your D;; or analogue meter to the proper DC $oltage range.
Place the red test lead to the positi$e $oltage supply@VccA pin and the blac0 test
lead to hot ground@reser$oir capacitor negati$e pinA. Remember the TV needs to
be plugged in. 8ou should get a reading that corresponds to the proper $oltage "or
the power 1C normally between +-6'V DC. 1" you get the correct reading you can
assume all components up to this point must be good@bridge recti"ier# "use# =;1
4ilter circuitry# start up circuit# etc.A. 1" you canDt "ind the necessary in"ormation "or
you 1C you can always s0ip to the ne%t $oltage test "or this same reason. 1" the
reading is low or 3ero $olts the most common reason is that the start up resistor.s
ha$e changed $alue or opened. To "ind the start up resistor.s@start up circuitA# trace
bac0 "rom the positi$e $oltage supply pin to the large $alue resistor.s that bring the
&;D Type Power 1C.?al" Bridge Dri$er
9*
Power 1C -nd ;>&4=T 1n - &ingle Pac0age
Testing Positi$e &upply Voltage Pin >" Power 1C
$oltage "rom the positi$e pin o" reser$oir capacitor to the Vcc pin o" the power 1C
so that it can get power be"ore the &;P& is on# once the TV is on a secondary
winding on the &;P& switching trans"ormer in the primary side supplies $oltage
to the power 1C# this winding and a "ew other components li0e a resistor and a
diode that recti"ies the output "rom the secondary winding ma0e up the run DC
circuit. &ome &tart up circuits will grab $oltage directly "rom the -C line and not
the reser$oir capacitors positi$e pin in which case you will also "ind a recti"ier
diode in the start up circuit that should also be chec0ed.
<'
Testing &econdary Voltages-
This is a $ery simple test "or sure. Place your red test lead "rom you D;; or
analogue meter on the cathode side o" the secondary output diode you want to
chec0 and place your blac0 test lead cold ground. ;a0e sure your meter is set to
the proper DC $oltage setting@ most LCD TVs ha$e secondary $oltages o" :V#
6V and 6<V but their can be more or di""erent ones# i" possible re"er to the
ser$ice manual o" the TV you are testingA. Turn power on to TV. 8ou should
recei$e a DC $oltage that corresponds to the $oltage you e%pect at that diode. 8ou
may ha$e to loo0 at a schematic or trace bac0 "rom a labeled cable connector to
0now what $oltage to e%pect. 1" you get a good reading on all secondary diodes#
then you can assume that all the components on the primary side are wor0ing
properly and chec0ing components in the primary side o" the &;P& would Eust
waste your time most
Chec0ing &econdary Voltage
li0ely. -s it ob$ious i" the bridge recti"ier# power 1C# power ;>&4=T and etc.
were bad we would not get all o" our secondary $oltages.
<
;ain Board Voltages-
1" all o" your $oltage were good in the pre$ious test ne%t you should chec0 that
$oltage is coming to the main board. 1" it is low or not present you 0now it must be
something between the main board and the &;P& a"ter the secondary diode#
perhaps a bad "ilter capacitor# shorted components or maybe e$en a bad ribbon
cable or bad solder connections etc. 1" the $oltage is present to the main board then
you can ne%t chec0 the $oltage at the output o" the $oltage regulators that will be
"ound on the main board typically :V and 9.9V@and others# it depends on the TVA
linear regulators. 1" the outputs are correct you can them mo$e on to test the
Positi$e supply $oltage at each o" the 1Cs on the main board. 8ou may need a
schematic or ser$ice manual which can usually be "ound online# to get the pin
layout and Vcc $oltage "or each 1C.
Chec0ing 4or Voltage To ;ain Board
<6
Chec0ing Vcc Voltage >4 LVD& 1C
Chec0ing Positi$e &upply Voltage Pin >" - !-!D ;emory 1C
@Please use a $ery "ine test lead when chec0ing Vcc.Vdd o" &;D 1Cs as the pis are $ery close togetherA
T-con Board Voltage-
/ith your D;; set to the proper $oltage setting# place your blac0 test lead to
cold ground and you red test lead to the the lead o" the pico "use closest to the
cable that brings the $oltage to the board# then chec0 with the red test lead to the
pico "uses other lead@terminal caps i" &;DA. 8ou should get about 6V DC "or
both reading. 1" you only get one reading@on the side closest to the connectorA The
"use has most li0ely gone open# try replacing it. 1" you get no reading on either
lead# trace bac0 and chec0 all the components in the cicuit that supplies the $oltage
to the T-con board.
<9
The Tap Test
This is an old test that is crude and simple# but it does wor0. ,se this test to isolate
connection problems or intermittent "ailures caused by bad solder connections etc.
,sing the bac0 o" your screwdri$er or some slightly hea$y non conducti$e tool#
lightly tap around on the circuits care"ul to not damage any components or bend
leads and cause shorts. The idea is to "ind the most sensiti$e part o" the circuit that
responds to your tapping causing the TV to go in and out o" "ailure. /hen you "ind
this sensiti$e area or maybe the only area where you get a reaction# inspect all the
components "or any damage and then loo0 o$er all the solder connections
care"ully with a magni"ier and light or a lit opti-$isor. Loo0 "or cold solder Eoints#
ring crac0s or any solder Eoints that are 2uestionable. ;ar0 e$ery bad or
2uestionable solder connection you see with a mar0er. -"ter you are done mar0ing
e$ery solder connection go bac0 with your soldering iron and some 2uality solder
and re-solder all the mar0ed connections.
<<
Ring Crac0
Cold &older Joints -nd &ome Ring Crac0s
8ou may also "ind that the connections are all good# but when you tap right on a
component the TV "ails. 8ou should directly replace the component i" possible.
<:
4ree3e &pray and ?air Dryers
This is another test which will help you isolate a problem to a single area o" the
LCD TV. 8ou may run into TVs that will not run properly until sometime a"ter the
TV has been turned on and warmed up. 8ou may also come across LCD TVs that
runs "ine until some time a"ter being turned on and then a"ter warming up has a
"ailure# maybe shutting down# distorted $ideo# distorted audio etc. 1n the case that
you ha$e a TV that has a "ailure "rom start up which goes away a"ter warming up
you can try the hair dryer method. Let the TV set set "or awhile so it is cool. Then
turn the TV on and $eri"y it is ha$ing the 0nown "ailure. Then ta0e the hair dryer
and heat up the circuits with a smooth e$en action and care"ully and slowly
panning across them until you "ind a location that gi$es you a reaction. 1" you heat
that area the TV starts to "unction properly. >nce you ha$e isolated the problem to
any area rechec0@by starting the test "rom cold againA to ma0e sure# once $eri"ied
chec0 all the components in the isolated area.
<+
1" you can not "ind any bad components or connections you may want to directly
replace components in this area i" you ha$e the parts. !ow i" you ha$e a TV that
"alls into the other category. /or0ing "ine at start up and then "ailing a"ter
warming up then you will use the "ree3e spray. Turn
,sing ?air Dryer
on the TV and let it warm up and stop operating normally# once this happens
power o"" and unplug the TV use the "ree3e spay to cool down a section o" one o"
the PCBs and components in the TV care"ully going o$er all that section@but do it
2uic0A# a"ter thoroughly cooling 2uic0ly plug in and turn on the set and see i"
"ailure is gone# meaning that an area you cooled down caused the TV to start
"unctioning properly again i" not# try again with another section# remember you
ha$e to be 2uic0 enough to ma0e sure the TV circuits in general donDt all cool
down causing the TV to wor0 normally as well. 8ou need to ma0e sure it is when
you spay the "ree3e spay on that area that the TV is made to start wor0ing meaning
you ha$e isolated the problem. The small no33le o" the cool spray allows you to
more precisely cool a small location unli0e the hair dryer thatDs more wide spread
when it heats# this will allow you to isolate the problem to a smaller area o" a
circuit and maybe e$en a single component. >nce the problem is isolated carry on
as you did pre$iously in the hair dryer e%ample.
<(
,sing Cool &pray
<)
Connection Problems
&older Crac0s
Loose Cables
Connection problems# we discussed some o" them earlier in the boo0# can cause a
lot o" problems and you will "ind they are the reason "or a good number o" "ailed
TVs. ;ost commonly you will "ind ring crac0s and cold solder connection and
e$en totally burnt up connections when inspecting PCBs with a magni"ier or an
opti-$isor. &ometimes you will also "ind cables that ha$e slightly crept out o" their
corresponding connectors causing a connection problem.
<*
Connection problems will o"ten cause intermittent issues but not always when they
are really bad e""ecti$ely causing a part to be remo$ed "rom circuit or causing an
open circuit in which case they will cause constant issues. Connection problems
are so common in LCD TVs the "irst thing you may want to do is open the TV#
inspect all solder connections on each PCB and re solder all 2uestionable ones and
bad ones. Re-seat all the cables into their corresponding connectors# care"ul not to
bend or brea0 any pins on the cable connector.
1nspecting PCB 4or Bad &older Connections
Re seating Cable To 1ts Connector
:'
Re seating Cable To 1ts Connector 6
Re seating Cable To 1ts Connector 9
>nce "inished double chec0 and ma0e sure e$erything is properly reassembled and
turn the TV on to see i" the problem still persists.
:
P&, @Power &upply ,nitA 4ailures
:6
!ow we will go o$er some common LCD TV P&, "ailures. P&, "ailure is 2uite
common in LCD TVs# so 1 suggest you study as much as you can about &;P& and
&;P& troubleshooting# as these are the types o" P&,s used in LCD TVs. /e canDt
co$er e$erything in this boo0 but we will co$er the most common "ailures.
-TV is dead# Power.standby L=D not lit and main "use is blown.
Chec0 the bridge recti"ier# diodes in primary and secondary side# reser$oir
capacitor@chec0 "or short and lea0ageA# $aristor@chec0 "or $isible damage and or
low ohm readingA# Chec0 power ;>&4=T&# &witching trans"ormer etc. 1 you "ind
lotDs o" shorted components in the primary side# replace the power 1C along with
replacing all the bad components as it will o"ten ha$e been destroyed as well
:9
-TV is dead# Power.standby L=D not lit and ;ain "use is not blown.
Chec0 the standby power circuit chec0 the $oltage at the secondary diode@typically
:V DCA cathode i" not present or within tolerance chec0 corresponding
components. Chec0 the secondary diode# "ilter capacitor and cho0e o" the standby
circuit. 1 ha$e dead LCD TVs with a shorted standby circuit secondary diode and
LCD TVs that were dead but the standby L=D would "lic0er with bad secondary
"ilter capacitors in the standby circuit causing the "ailure. !ote that a blin0ing L=D
can indicate a "ailure code "rom the ;C,# and the "ailure may not e$en be related
to the power supply. 1" you get a pulsing L=D that seems rhythmic or in a
pattern@ li0e 9 "lashes pause two "lashes repeat# etc.A re"er to the ser$ice manual to
see i" the TV has L=D codes or not and i" so what they are as they can lead you to
the right circuit "or repair.
-TV is dead# Power.standby L=D is lit and "use is not blown.
Chec0 "or Vcc $oltage to the power 1C. 1" not present chec0 start up resistors in the
start up circuit.
-&tart up circuit
The start up circuit usually consists o" one or more large $alue resistors that drop
the $oltage "rom the :'-+'V source at the positi$e pin o" the reser$oir capacitor
to a $oltage that is used to power the power 1C when the &;P& is not on. The start
up circuit may also grab $oltage "rom the -C line in which case it will also ha$e a
recti"ier diode.
:<
&ome more common "ailures.
->ne or more secondary outputs with $oltage out o" tolerance or with ripple at
mains "re2uency@:'.+' ?3A or twice the mains "re2uency@''.6' ?3A. Chec0 the
reser$oir or main "ilter capacitor "or high =&R. -lso chec0 surrounding
components in the primary side.
->ne or multiple secondary outputs with $oltage out o" tolerance and or ripple at
the &;P& switching "re2uency@usually 's to ''s o" 0?3A. Chec0 the secondary
"ilter capacitors and cho0es. -lso i" secondary $oltage is low# chec0 "or shorted
components in the circuit that could be dragging down the $oltage.
-/hining noise coming "rom P&, with low $oltage on one or more secondary
outputs. Chec0 "or shorted semiconductors@ diodes# BJT etc.A in the corresponding
circuit.
-TV power supply ma0ing cycling.pulsing or chirping sound. This is almost
always caused by shorted."ailed components in the secondary side o" the &;P&.
Chec0 secondary diodes# secondary "ilter capacitors# also chec0 the "eedbac0
circuitry# meaning chec0 the opto-isolators#directly replace the adEustable shunt
regulator# chec0 the resistors in the sampling circuitry etc.
::
- bad power 1C can also sometimes cause the power cycling symptom. 1" you
ha$e tried and chec0ed e$erything with no success# you might try directly
replacing the power 1C.
-1ntermittent power "ailures. This can be a "rustrating thing to troubleshoot. 8ou
will want to use the tap method discussed earlier in the boo0 because most
intermittent "ailures in general are caused by loose.dry# burnt or o%idi3ed solder
connections. 1" chec0ing and re soldering all the connections does not wor0 the
ne%t thin0 1 would do is chec0 all the electrolytic capacitors in the P&, as they can
also cause intermittent "ailures.
-Replacing a P&, o$er repairing it. &ometimes you will ha$e a P&, board with
such e%tensi$e damage# say "rom a power surge that you will really need to
consider loo0ing up the price "or a new PCB online as it may not be worth your
time to try and sa$e one that needs so much wor0 done# but i" you are li0e me you
are going to try to "i% it anyways to gain s0ills and satis"action in a repair.
:+
Please noteH
P&, board connection problems and especially "ilter capacitors with raised =&R
are so common and cause so many di""erent problems in LCD TVs that may not
e$en appear to be P&, related that the "irst thing 1 do on all repairs is inspect the
P&, and chec0 e$ery electrolytic capacitor on the board# 1" all is good 1 then do
the same on the rest o" the PCBs.
:(
1n$erter Board 4ailures
;ost in$erter board "ailures will cause one o" these two symptoms. =ither the
TV will turn on but as soon as the bac0 light turns on the TV shuts down@this
can be $ery 2uic0# the TV may Eust 2uic0ly "lash and you must watch closelyA
or the TV will turn on and operate normally with audio but no picture. 1" you
loo0 care"ully you can see that the picture is their but it has no bac0 light to
illuminate it. 1" you ha$e one o" these symptoms you will want to start by
chec0ing the in$erter board@a"ter chec0ing the electrolytic capacitors in the
P&,# they can also cause these same symptoms e$en a dim "lic0ering display
as well when the secondary "ilter capacitors on the $oltage supply line to the
in$erter board go badA.
:)
8ou may also ha$e TVs with dim display or "lic0ering display which is
usually the in$erter board also. Please note that these symptoms can also be
caused by a bad CC4L
-Chec0ing the in$erter board
4irst thing# chec0 the pico "use.s usually "ound close to the cable connector
that connects the cable coming "rom the P&, to the in$erter board.
1" the pico "use or "uses are open or ha$e a high ohm reading# "irst try
replacing them and see i" this "i%es the problem@normally it wonDtA i" it does
not# mo$e on to chec0ing the components in the in$erter circuits@i" only one
o" two "uses is open chec0 components in the circuit that correspond to that
"useA. 1n$erter 1Cs are robust and donDt "ail to o"ten. &uspect "ailed.shorted
;>&4=T 1Cs# ?VT.s shorted between primary and secondary windings#
shorted secondary or primary windings in ?VT.s# compare results with
0nown good ?V trans"ormer o" same type# "ortunately there are always more
than one in LCD TV in$erter boards so you can compare them against each
other as most li0ely not all are bad@remember to pull them o"" the board to
test and to identi"y the primary and secondary pins# they may not be the pins
you assumedA. Chec0 resin coated ceramic capacitors in secondary are not
shorted.
:*
Chec0 capacitors and other components in corresponding circuit. ,se the ring
tester on primary and secondary windings o" ?VT and li0e with the
switching trans"ormer in the &;P& i" you get no rings try using the =&R
meter.
LCD TV ?VT
-1" "uses are not open on in$erter board# chec0 the ?VT# chec0 "or open
secondary winding# shorts in secondary and primary windings with ring
tester. Remember that bad secondary "ilter capacitors in the circuit that
supplies $oltage to the in$erter board can cause symptoms that are the same
as a "ailed in$erter board. -lso chec0 the components in the "eed bac0.>$er
Load Protection circuit o" the in$erter board.
+'
1n$erter Board 4eedbac0 and >$er Load Protection Circuit
1" you can not "ind anything wrong with the in$erter board it is li0ely you
ha$e one or more bad CC4L. 8ou can use a CC4L tester "or LCD TVs to "ind
and then replace the bad CC4Ls or you can directly replace all the CC4Ls
which wouldnDt hurt since e$en ones that are not bad will li0ely be right
behind the bad ones. Chec0 the CC4Ls "or physical damage li0e blac0ened
ends and "or bad connections.
LCD TV CC4L tester
+
,sing an LCD TV CC4L tester
-lways chec0 "or loose or dry solder Eoints on the ?VTs# ;>&4=T 1Cs and
in$erter 1C pins. These are a $ery common cause o" in$erter "ailure.
&ometimes you will not be able to "ind any good in"o "or the parts on an
in$erter board or parts may not be a$ailable in which case you may want to
Eust loo0 into replacing the whole in$erter board# usually they are not to
e%pensi$e especially compared to replacing the TV. -lso always sa$e old
in$erter boards and all LCD TV boards "or that matter so you can sal$age
parts "rom them that you may not ha$e been able to ac2uire any other way.
+6
;ain Board 4ailures
Common main board "ailures can include no $ideo# no >&D@>n &creen
Display.;enuA# no audio# tuning problems# $ideo and audio distortions# no color#
white screen etc. ;ain board "ailures can also cause no power and in this case will
most li0ely ha$e a symtom li0e blin0ing power.standby L=D@o"ten a code
indicating the section.PCB o" the TV that is "ailingA# amber colored standby L=D
or some color other than normal standby or power etc. The P&, must get a start up
signal "rom the ;C, on the main board in order "or the TV to turn on. 1" you are
suspecting main board problem# "irst chec0 "or proper $oltages to main board and
1Cs# you might need to get a schematic or ser$ice manual or study the board and
loo0 up the 1Cs online to get an idea o" what the $oltages you are loo0ing "or are#
but typically you will ha$e $oltages li0e :V# 9.9V# .)V# 6V and 6.)V DC.
Remember to use cold ground when chec0ing $oltages on the main board. 1" all
$oltages are present and within tolerance remo$e the main board and inspect "or
bad solder connections and then chec0 all the electrolytic capacitors li0e the
decoupling capacitors "ound by each 1C.
+9
Chec0 components surrounding 1Cs including crystals and &;D capacitors.
+<
&;D Ceramic Chip Capacitors
&;D =lectrolytic Capacitor
Crystal-
- crystal oscillator is an electronic circuit that uses the mechanical resonance o" a
$ibrating crystal o" pie3oelectric material to create an electrical signal with a $ery
precise "re2uency. This "re2uency is commonly used to 0eep trac0 o" time @as in
2uart3 wristwatchesA# to pro$ide a stable cloc0 signal "or digital integrated circuits#
and to stabili3e "re2uencies "or radio transmitters and recei$ers. The most common
type o" pie3oelectric resonator used is the 2uart3 crystal# so oscillator circuits
designed around them were called Kcrystal oscillatorsK.
+:
Fuart3 crystals are produced "or "re2uencies "rom a "ew tens o" 0ilohert3 to tens o"
megahert3. >$er two billion crystals are manu"actured annually. ;ost are small
de$ices "or de$ices such as wristwatches# cloc0s# radios# computers# and
cellphones. Fuart3 crystals are also "ound inside test and measurement
e2uipment# such as counters# signal generators# and oscilloscopes.
Testing Crystals can be simple. &et your D;; to the "re2uency setting@i" it has
one# i" not you can use a "re2uency counterA and place the red test lead on one o"
the crystals pins@TV ;ust be powered onA# The "re2uency should be within
tolerance o" the "re2uency labeled on the crystal. 8ou will not be able to test all
crystals as some will be out o" the range o" your meter. -lso ta0e into account your
meters accuracy. 1" you ha$e a scope you can also use it to test crystals again i" itDs
range is withing the "re2uency o" the crystal you want to test.
Testing &;D crystal with "re2uency setting o" D;;
1" you get no "re2uency reading this could indicate a bad crystal# &;D capacitor in
the oscillator circuitry or a bad 1C# chec0 the surrounding components in other
words &;D capacitors etc.. Try directly replacing the crystal. 1" the surrounding
components test good and.or replacing the crystal does not wor0 most li0ely the
corresponding 1C is bad# in this case the main board will most li0ely ha$e to be
replaced as replacement 1Cs can be hard to "ind and e$en i" you could get them
many are in BI-@Ball Irid -rrayA or other &;D pac0age which re2uire special
e2uipment and or s0ill to replace.
++
Testing &;D capacitor on main board
4irmware upgrades-
&ometimes main board type "ailures can be sol$ed by uploading the "lash
memories "irmware# or reprogramming a corrupted "lash with the original
"irmware. 4irmware can normally be downloaded and put on a "lash dri$e or
memory stic0 to be put in the ,&B port or memory card reader o" the LCD TV by
$isiting the manu"acturers website or calling them and ordering it.
+(
&ometimes you may need to purchase the "irmware and in this case the company
usually sends a thumb dri$e with the "irmware on it.
4lash.Thumb Dri$e
+)
!o Video
1" you ha$e a TV that wor0s "ine but has no $ideo@blue screen# white screen etc.A#
"irst chec0 the ob$ious and ma0e sure it is not a problem with the $ideo
source@DVD player cable bo% etc.A or a connection problem li0e a loose cable
between the $ideo source and the TV. -"ter $eri"ying that the source and
connections to the TV are good we can mo$e on. !o $ideo can be caused by an
in$erter board "ailure# but this is not common in LCD TVs# as usually the "eedbac0
circuitry "or the TV will shut the TV down in the e$ent o" in$erter board "ailure.
Loo0 closely at the TV i" it is blac0 but you can 0ind o" see $ideo when loo0ing
closely than this $eri"ies that it most li0ely is the in$erter board# but remember it
could always be bad electrolytic capacitors on the P&, board. 1" you can tell that
the bac0 lights are lit and you ha$e >&D@>n &creen DisplayA but no $ideo than
you most li0ely ha$e a tuning issue@li0e a "ailed digital tunerA with the main board
or maybe something simple li0e your on the wrong input or a setting in menu "or
instance li0e needing to switch "rom antenna to cable. 1t could also be a bad VP,
or other another 1C on the main board# chec0 all the main board and main board 1C
$oltages and ma0e sure they are within tolerance.. 1" you are using the co-a%ial
connection on the tuner you may also ha$e a bad tuner# $eri"y by "ist running
through a di""erent tuning source "or instance a cable bo% or VCR "irst# then to the
TV i" this "i%es the problem you 0now the tuner is bad and needs to be replaced. 1"
you ha$e chec0ed the ob$ious li0e the menu setting then you should "ollow the
procedure "or chec0ing the main board. Try a "irmware upgrade# sometimes no
$ideo can also be caused by a bad controller board@not when >&D is $isibleA.
Chec0 to see i" the pico "use on the controller board is open or has increased to
high ohms $alue i" so try to replace i" replacing open "use only causes "use to blow
again you can try "i%ing the controller board by tracing down shorted components
with a tool li0e the lea0 see0er but your best bet would most li0ely be to replace
the controller board. DonDt "orget to loo0 "or solder connection problems on the
main board or Eac0 pac0 when troubleshooting $ideo and audio problems#
especially right on the connectors that the $ideo.audio source cables plug into.
>"ten crac0s de$elop in the solder connection because o" cables being pushed in
and pulled out o" the $ideo.cable cable connectors.
+*
Chec0ing controller board pico "use
1" the pico "use is good and you ha$e scope $eri"y output signal "rom main board#
i" present and testing main board chec0ed good chec0 all components possible on
controller board or directly replace# i" controller board is "ound to be good# then
the most li0ely case is the main board will need to be replaced i" you can not "ind
the bad components on the main board . Remember to chec0 all the electrolytic
capacitors on the main board# main board and 1C $oltages and 1C surrounding
components.
=lectrolytic capacitors on LCD TV main board
('
!o -udio
-s usual chec0 the ob$ious# li0e the connections "rom the audio source to the TV
and chec0 in the user settings within the menu to ma0e sure the spea0ers are not
turned o"". &ometimes issues such as low audio while watching DTV but normal
-udio during analogue programming etc. can be "i%ed with a "irmware upgrade.
Remember bad "ilter capacitors on the P&, as well as the main board can cause all
0inds o" problems li0e no audio or intermittent audio. Chec0 the Vcc at the audio
processor and the audio ampli"ier 1Cs# i" no or low $oltage is present li"t the Vcc
pin "rom circuit# i" the $oltage returns a"ter remo$ing the 1Cs pin suspect the 1C is
bad and replace# i" $oltage stays low or is not present a"ter li"ting pin suspect
components in the $oltage supply line to the 1C.@remember to always chec0
surrounding corresponding circuit componentsA. -gain donDt "orget to loo0 "or
solder connection problems on the main board and or Eac0 pac0 "or $ideo and
audio problems# especially right on the connectors that the $ideo.audio source
cables plug into. >"ten crac0s de$elop on the solder connections because o" cables
being repeatedly pushed in and pulled out o" the $ideo.cable connectors or because
the cables get tugged on# tripped o$er or mo$ed around to o"ten.
(
>&D.;enu 4ailure
1" you ha$e no on screen display or no menu or erratic menu "unctions# you may
also ha$e menu "unctions but the user setting can not be sa$ed# or reset e$ery time
the TV power is cycled. This indicates an ;C, or VP, "ailure and or ==PR>;
"ailure and in most cases unless you ha$e another main board to swap 1Cs "rom#
and in the case o" the VP, $ery speciali3ed e%pensi$e e2uipment "or testing
remo$al and replacement# you will ha$e to replace the main board. Remember to
chec0 all components surrounding the ;C, and VP, li0e &;D capacitors#
resistors# crystals etc. and also always chec0 all the electrolytic capacitors on the
main board.
(6
/hite &creen
1" the LCD TV powers on with an all white screen# "irst as usual inspect the P&,
"or bad solder connection and chec0 all the electrolytic capacitors on the P&,.
!e%t chec0 the pico "use on the controller.T-con board. Remember the controller
board is =&D sensiti$e# so ta0e the proper precautions when testing the board.
Chec0 the LVD& cable "rom the main board to the controller board and ma0e sure
it is not loose. -lso chec0 the solder connections on the cable connectors.
Cable "rom main board to controller board
(9
Chec0 and re seat the 4PCB or ribbon cable "rom the controller board to the dri$er
board.
Ribbon cable connecting controller board to dri$er board
1" all the pre$ious chec0s out good then chec0 the main board component li0e
electrolytic capacitors etc.
1" the pico "use on the controller board is open or has become high ohm $alue# try
replacing the "use to see i" it will "i% the TV. 1" not you can replace the controller
board or use a tool li0e the lea0 see0er to "ind the shorted components on the
controller board. ,sually with controller boards it is best to Eust replace the PCB.
&ometimes it will be necessary to replace the main board or e$en the panel "or
white screen "ailure but most o" the time white display is caused by a bad
controller board or bad electrolytic capacitors in the P&,@;ost li0ely secondary
"ilter capacitors on the $oltage line to the controller board.
(<
Rainbow &creen
&teps "or troubleshooting the rainbow screen or colored lines screen. 4irst chec0
the LVD& cable "rom main board to controller board is not loose. 1 chec0 that the
cable itsel" is actually good and re seat the LVD& cable# replace LVD& cable i"
necessary. Re seat 4PCB "rom the controller board to the dri$er board and also
chec0 the solder connections on the cable connectors to the boards. Chec0 solder
connections and components on the controller PCB. 1" e$erything chec0s good#
although this still could be a main board issue it is most li0ely a bad controller
board 1C or the panel. ;ore li0ely the LCD panel has a bad dri$er board.dri$er
1Cs# but use the procedure "or chec0ing the main board be"ore you spend the
money to replace a panel i" you actually decide to or i" the cost is economical.
!ote that you can almost ne$er "ind the LCD panel alone# but only a "ull display
panel which has the bac0 light assembly and all. ;ost people re"er to this whole
assembly as the LCD panel# but actually you can disassemble and remo$e the
actual LCD panel li0e the photo on page 9:. Together the LCD panel# and the bac0
lights ma0e the LCD display. ,sually when you order a "ull display@listed as panel
with part distributorsA it will also ha$e the controller PCB mounted to the bac0
already but not always so as0# this can be good i" you are not 2uite sure i" the LCD
panel or controller PCB are causing the issue.
(:
&creen 4lashes Then TV &huts Down
1" you turn on the LCD TV and it "lashes# meaning that the bac0 light comes on "or
Eust a moment and then the TV shuts down this almost always indicates an in$erter
board "ailure. Io o$er the methods "or testing the in$erter board. Remember bad
secondary "ilter capacitors on the $oltage supply line to the in$erter board can also
cause this symptom and also "lic0ering or dim display.
(+
!o Bac0 light
This is when the LCD TV turns on and wor0s normally has audio and i" you loo0
closely it has >&D# $ideo etc.# but the display is not illuminated. This is almost
always an in$erter board "ailure. Io o$er the procedure "or troubleshooting the
in$erter board. -s 1 ha$e said many times now chec0 the electrolytic in the P&,.
((
Lines 1n Picture
Vertical and hori3ontal lines as well on the display are almost always caused by
bad connections "rom the dri$er board to the panel. 1n this case the display or
panel must be replaced unless you ha$e the speciali3ed e2uipment necessary or
can come up with a de$ice to sa"ely redo all the connections on the 4PCB that
connects the dri$er board to the panel and e$en i" you could repair the connection
there is still a chance you could ha$e a bad dri$er 1C in the 4PCB.
4PCB@4le%ible Printed Circuit BoardA that connects the dri$er board to the
LCD display
()
Crac0ed panel
1" the panel becomes crac0ed the only method o" repair is to replace the diplay or
remo$e the LCD panel "rom the display and replace it# but most li0ely you will
ha$e to buy an entire display# bac0 light assembly and all.
(*
LCD TV Repair Case ?istories
Vi3io L9(?DTV-
&ymptomH
-mber light # no power
RepairH
Remo$ed ,6+ @this is near the tactile switchA and added a '7ohm resistor
between pins 6 and 9.
Vi3io V><(L4-
&ymptomH
&et has no bac0 light# has audio.
RepairH
Replaced 6 +)'u4 59:V =lectrolytic capacitors on the in$erter PCB# and one in
P&,.
&amsung L!T<'+4Q.Q---
&ymptomH
TV had $ertical colored lines no >&D and no remote "unction.
RepairH
4ound < '''u4 5+V electrolytic capacitors in power supply pu""ed and $ented.
=&R to high "or meter to display reading. Part location numbers "or capacitors#
C; C;6 C;( C;+. Replacing Capacitors "i%ed TV.
)'
&amsung L!T<++4-
&ymptomH
Ta0es a while to come on# when it is on# there are red dots o$er the $ideo.
RepairH
Replaced three '''u4 5+V electrolytic capacitors in the P&,. Location C&)'<#
CV)6# CV)9
&amsung L!T<+(4Q-
&ymptomH
,nit cycles on.o"" "or minutes be"ore coming on.
RepairH
Replace electrolytic capacitors with locations# C;):9 and C;):6# both 66''u4
5'V in P&,.
/estinghouse LTV96/-
&ymptomH
!o power# power L=D turns blue to amber then o"" # might be intermittent.
RepairH
4ound bad solder connection on P&, trans"ormer T pin <# soldering connection
"i%ed TV.
)
&yl$ania LC96'&L)-
&ymptomH
Dead set# main "use blown# and blows $iolently i" replaced.
RepairH
!:<'+ diode D:'6 shorted# Bridge recti"ier shorted. Replacing shorted
components and "use repaired the TV.
&harp LC9(D<9,-
&ymptomH
!o bac0 light.
RepairH
Replaced "use @4(:'6A rated :''ma on the in$erter board. TV wor0ed "ine a"ter
replacing "use.
Polaroid 4L;969B-
&ymptomH
!o -udio.
RepairH
Replace open ' ohm &;D resistor @R9):A near the
top end o" the main board located between two audio supply "ilter caps.
)6
Polaroid 4L;9(96-
&ymptomH
!o power# no standby L=D
RepairH
Replaced '''u4 5'V electrolytic capacitors# locations C6 and C9on the
P&,.
;agna$o% *;499(B-
&ymptomH
4lic0ering picture# loud audible noise# maybe be intermittent start.
RepairH
Replace electrolytic capacitors in P&,. Location C6# C(# C)@'''u4 5+VA
and C(:@<('u45+$A
;agna$o% 9(;496D9(-
&ymptomH
!o power.
RepairH
Replace electrolytic capacitors in P&, @li0ely $entedA two
66''u4 5:'V and two '''u4 5:'V.
)9
;agna$o% :';469D.9(-
&ymptomH
Power L=D lights but set does not come on.
RepairH
Replaced bad 99''u4 5'V electrolytic capacitors# locations C)':* and C)'+'
in the P&,.
LI R;-9'LO:'-
&ymptomH
1rregular glittering spec0les on screen.
RepairH
Remo$e C):(# 66'u4 5+V electrolytic capacitor on main board
and replace with <(',4 5+V electrolytic Capacitor.
LI R;-96LO:'-
&ymptomH
!o picture but has sound sound.
RepairH
Remo$e R+' &;D resistor on
1n$erter PCB.
LI 6+LQD-
&ymptomH
/a$y lines in picture.
)<
RepairH
Replaced C(') and C('< on main board. ''u4 5+V &;D
electrolytic capacitors.
=merson LC96'=;)-!-
&ymptomH
!o power#Dead.
RepairH
Replaced shorted diode#type 4R6'6# in P&,. Location#
D+99.
):
&a"ety
- "ew important tips to remember when wor0ing on li$e circuits.
--lways use an isolation trans"ormer when ta0ing measurements on li$e
e2uipment.
-?ot and cold ground. -lways be aware o" the di""erence between hot and cold
ground especially when ta0ing P&, $oltage and wa$e"orm measurements.
)+
The hot and cold side are usually clearly identi"ied.
-&oldering can be ha3ardous to your health# remember to be in a well $entilated
open area when soldering as smo0e inhalation is the main ha3ard when soldering#
besides gi$ing yoursel" a really good burn. The solder we use on electronics
circuits contains rosin# which inhalation o" the smo0e "rom can cause asthma.
)(
-Discharging Reser$oir.4ilter capacitor.s
/hen you remo$e the P&, board to chec0 components and etc. always discharge
the reser$oir.primary "ilter capacitor to a$oid getting shoc0ed. 1 use a 0 ohm 6-:
/att resistor to discharge the capacitor. Chec0 the DC $oltage on the capacitor
a"ter discharge Eust to be sa"e.
))
Discharging Capacitor
Chec0ing $oltage a"ter discharge
-/or0ing on li$e circuits. Try to ne$er wor0 on li$e circuits# o" course this is not
always possible as tests li0e the $oltage testing must be done with the TV on# but
always use the most care when wor0ing on li$e circuits as to not hurt or 0ill
yoursel" and or damage your test e2uipment and the TV under test
)*
Conclusion
1n conclusion 1 hope you ha$e learned a lot about LCD TVs# how they wor0 and
how to troubleshoot and repair them. >b$iously 1 could not e$en co$er or mention
all o" the electronics circuits in$ol$ed in the wor0ing o" an LCD TV as it is way
beyond the scope o" this boo0 which is based in common repairs and not LCD TV
design. The best you could do to "urther your 0nowledge is to study the di""erent
designs and o" course learn as much about electronics as possible "rom the basics
to the ad$anced "rom the past to the current. The more you understand and
recogni3e di""erent electronic circuits the easier it will be "or you to troubleshoot
and repair LCD TVs and any other electronic de$ices as well. 8ou may e$en
$enture into electronic into electronic design someday or get into ;C,
programming. 1" you ha$e any "urther 2uestions or need troubleshooting help
email me Eohn5preher-tech.com.
*'
4urther Reading
&ome good boo0s to "urther your electronics 0nowledge.
=lectronic and =lectrical &er$icing Consumer and Commercial =lectronics 6nd
edition# By 1an &inclair and John Dunton
=lectronic and =lectrical &er$icing Consumer and Commercial =lectronics Le$el
9K 6nd edition# By 1an &inclair and John Dunton
*
?ow To 4ind Burnt Resistor Value# By Jestine 8ong
LCD ;onitor Repair# By Jestine 8ong
*6
Testing =lectronic Components# By Jestine 8ong
Troubleshooting M Repairing &witch ;ode Power &upplies# By Jestine 8ong
*9
/ebsites
&ome good websites "or electronics in"ormation.
LCD TV repair membership site
Plasma TV repair membership site
ProEection TV repair membership site
electronicrepairguide.com
Jestine 8ongDs Blog
Preher-Tech Blog
preher-tech.com
"astrepairguide.com
*<
Parts Distributors
?ere are the parts distributors 1 most commonly use to get all the parts and boards
1 need "or "i%ing LCD TVs.
&uburban
=ncompass
&hop Jimmy
;C;
-nd 1 also always li0e loo0ing on ebay# 1 ha$e bought many TV and electronic
components on that site in general with great deals and 1 ha$e only had great
transactions so "ar. >nly buy "rom reputable dealers.
Places to purchase an =&R meter-
=lectronic Repair Iuide@also sells Ring TesterA
-nate0@also sells Ring TesterA
=VB
Radio De$ices@the =&R micro# which also chec0s capacitanceA
LCD TV CC4L Tester-
?R-TL'<'
Iood place to buy D;; and analogue meters-
;ultimeter /arehouse
*: